Jack Draper Sidelined for Great Britain’s Davis Cup Opener Against Finland

US Open semi-finalist Jack Draper has been omitted from Great Britain's line-up for their opening Davis Cup Finals group stage match against Finland on Wednesday. The 22-year-old, who delivered a career-best performance in New York, only arrived in Manchester on Tuesday and was given extra time to recover after a demanding run at Flushing Meadows.

British captain Leon Smith, mindful of Draper's recent exploits, decided to rest the nation’s top player for the Finland clash. Draper, who had strapping on his right thigh during practice with British number 10 Charles Broom, was seen training at the Manchester Regional Tennis Centre under Smith’s watchful eye. However, Smith opted for a cautious approach, balancing Draper’s recovery with the team’s long-term prospects.

“I have to select the team to do what is best, not just for Wednesday, but also for the really important matches at the weekend,” Smith explained. “We have four guys here who are more than capable of going out tomorrow if that's required and doing a really good job.”

With Draper resting, the nation’s highest-ranked available player, Billy Harris, will make his Davis Cup debut at the age of 29. Harris, a late bloomer in British tennis who recently broke into the world’s top 100, is eager to step up in Draper's absence.

Dan Evans, Britain’s experienced Davis Cup campaigner, will also feature in the singles before partnering with Neal Skupski in what could be the decisive doubles rubber. Evans and Skupski famously combined for a thrilling doubles victory last year, securing Britain's passage to the knockout stages in Manchester.

Despite being left out of the tie, Draper remains a key figure for Great Britain’s Davis Cup campaign. His remarkable run to the US Open semi-finals—where he ultimately fell to world number one Jannik Sinner—was a breakthrough moment in his career. Draper, who battled through both physical and mental challenges, including illness on court during his semi-final, now faces the task of managing his energy levels for the week ahead.

“It’s a question of figuring out where he is at with his energy; how much tennis he can play over the course of the week,” Smith said of Draper. “But if he’s good to go, he’s good to go. If not, I’ve got every faith in those sitting beside me now.”

Great Britain’s Davis Cup squad has undergone significant changes for the Finals group stage event, notably missing Andy Murray, who retired earlier this year. Cameron Norrie, the British number two, is also absent, having withdrawn from the US Open with an arm injury.

The team retains some familiar faces, including Evans and Skupski, while newcomers Harris and Wimbledon doubles champion Henry Patten are making their debuts. The squad faces a challenging group in the AO Arena, taking on Finland, Argentina, and Canada in a round-robin format. The top two teams will progress to the eight-nation finals, which will be held in Malaga from November 19 to 24.

As the Davis Cup begins, Draper’s condition will continue to be closely monitored, with Great Britain hoping their rising star will be ready for the crucial matches ahead.