Jack Draper’s agonies on court continued with a painful first round defeat at the Cincinnati Masters against Spain’s Martin Landaluce, with questions being asked about what comes next for the former British No 1.

Draper has missed most of the last year with a bone bruising injury issue that he has struggled to resolve and he broke down in tears on court in last week’s first round defeat at the Montreal Masters.

There were some suggestions that he may be forced to call time on his 2026 season after that emotional outburst, so there was some surprise when he arrived in Cincinatti trying to overcome his injury issue once again.

After a tentative start, Draper appeared to be getting into his groove as he opened up a big lead in the second set and he came within a point of taking the match into a deciding set.

But it was clear that his arm problem was a major factor in his 6-3, 7-5 defeat, with Draper looking like a forlorn figure on court once again long before the final point was played.

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Former British No 1 Greg Rusedski gave his verdict on Draper’s injury crisis on his podcast, as he questioned what he can do to overcome the problem.

“This is really, really concerning and serious,” said Rusedski.

“No matter how great a player you are in the men’s game, if you cannot get that serve in play to get the first strike on your serve, it’s very difficult. Because you look at the ground strokes, you look at the returns, you look at the movement, you look at his hands, it’s all there. Everything’s there. But you put one hand behind the back if you’re not able to serve properly. And for me that’s the problem.

“It looks like he’s going to have to have a long period away of rest. I’m sure he’s tried the injections to get the inflammation down on multiple occasions, maybe on too many occasions, who knows? The only one who knows is him and his team around him. So for me, it looks like the solution is possibly another long break away, finding a way to heal.

“He’s tried the racket, he’s tried the strings, he’s tried so many things. I mean, I feel for him. I don’t know what to say to the guy.

“I just feel really, really bad, because the potential, the talent is there. Who knows what the reason is behind it, but he’s trying to find a solution. You know, from what I’m seeing over the past year, I don’t know how he gets there. And to me, that is very worrying.”

Draper is due to play with Jessica Pegula in the US Open mixed doubles even that will take place the week before the US Open later this month, but his appearance in that event must now be in huge doubt.

READ NEWS: Jack Draper lifts lid on change of mindset after hitting ‘rock bottom’ with injuries