DUBAI, UAE – Jack Draper marked his return to the ATP Tour with a hard-fought victory over Quentin Halys at the Dubai Open on Monday, . The Briton, sidelined for nearly six months due to a shoulder injury, secured a 7-6(8), 6-3 win in the first round of the 500 event.
Draper’s 2025 season had begun brightly, highlighted by a Masters 1,000 title at Indian Wells and reaching the fourth round of both the Australian and French Opens. However, a bruised bone in his service arm, initially sustained during the clay-court swing in April, progressively hampered his performance. The injury forced him to miss the Australian Open in January, before a return to competitive action representing Great Britain on .
The match against Halys proved a challenging opener for Draper. Seeded fourth in Dubai, he faced a set point while serving at 5-4 down in the first set, but demonstrated resilience to navigate a tight tie-break. Draper ultimately prevailed, winning three consecutive points to overcome an 8-7 deficit and claim the first set.
Despite opportunities for both players, the first break of serve didn’t materialize until the fourth game of the second set. Halys, ranked 68th, hit a forehand wide, giving Draper a crucial 3-1 lead. Draper then consolidated his advantage, serving out the match without further trouble, winning 86% of points on his first serve.
The victory was particularly encouraging given Draper’s injury concerns. An impressive 19 of his 24 winners came off his forehand side – the area previously affected by the shoulder issue – underlining a successful recovery and a return to aggressive, attacking tennis.
“It feels so good to be out here competing in front of people,” Draper said after the match. “It could have been a little cleaner from my side, but I hadn’t played on the Tour for a long time. I’ve been craving the feeling of competing for a very long time. It just felt normal. It felt like I was coming back to doing what I love.”
Elsewhere in Dubai, top seed Felix Auger-Aliassime overcame a stern test from Zhang Zhizhen, eventually winning 6-3, 7-6(4). Auger-Aliassime, who lost in last season’s Dubai final, needed six match points to secure the victory. He will next face Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who defeated Moez Echargui in three tie-breaks, hitting 29 aces in the process.
Veteran Stan Wawrinka also progressed to the second round, defeating Benjamin Hassan 7-5, 6-3, with compatriot Roger Federer, an eight-time Dubai champion, watching from the stands as part of his farewell tour.
The tournament also saw mixed fortunes for British players beyond Draper. Katie Boulter enjoyed a successful start at the Merida Open in Mexico, defeating Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-4, 6-4. However, Cameron Norrie suffered a surprise defeat at the Mexican Open, falling 6-3, 6-2 to Spain’s Rafael Jodar.
Draper’s return to form is a welcome sight for British tennis fans. After a promising 2025 season cut short by injury, his victory in Dubai represents a significant step towards regaining his momentum and challenging at the highest levels of the sport. His performance will be closely watched as he continues his campaign in Dubai, and as he looks to build on this positive start to the season.
Auger-Aliassime’s struggles to close out his match against Zhang Zhizhen, despite holding multiple match points, highlight the mental challenges players face even when in a dominant position. The Canadian’s ability to eventually secure the win demonstrates his resilience, but also underscores the importance of maintaining focus and composure under pressure.
Mpetshi Perricard’s impressive serving display, racking up 29 aces, proved decisive in his victory over Echargui. The Frenchman’s powerful serve will undoubtedly be a key weapon as he progresses through the tournament, and will pose a significant challenge to Auger-Aliassime in their upcoming match.
