Jack Draper thrashes opponent in one hour and makes comeback claim - 'no one can see'

British No.1 Jack Draper has won in his first match since August after thrashing Norway's Viktor Durasovic 6-2, 6-2 in just 60 minutes on Thursday. Draper had not played since last year's US Open, having decided to take time out to recover from a complex bone stress injury.

The three-time ATP tour titleist previously revealed that he endured severe pain at Wimbledon in the summer before spending an entire month unable to serve. Draper secured just one singles victory in New York last year - where he was defending semi-final points - before pulling out ahead of the second round due to the injury that has kept him out of action for six months.

The world No.13 did not require surgery but decided to end his 2025 season early to allow the injury sufficient time to heal. He then opted to miss the United Cup and Australian Open at the beginning of 2026 to fully get back up to speed.

And Draper has made a dominant return to the court after thrashing world No. 313 Durasovic to give Great Britain the perfect start in their Davis Cup qualifying tie against Norway. The winner of Thursday's tie will face either Australia or Ecuador for a place in November's eight-team Finals.

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Speaking after his first match of the year, Draper shared his happiness at securing victory after so long out. He said: "It's good to get a match under my belt and get a first point for Great Britain.

"It's taken hard work and perseverance. It's been a really difficult time since I've been away from the sport but I've done the hard work no one sees and when I come back hopefully I can play some proper tennis again."

Speaking to Sky Sports before the match in Oslo, the Brit admitted to being in a hole after having the adrenaline of competing taken away due to injury.

The 24-year-old said: "It's one thing staying afloat because we're used to being 100 miles an hour on the road, and then all of that gets taken away from you, the buzz of competing. You're kind of like in a hole and you need to get yourself out of that hole somehow, especially with a long injury.

"There's not been just one moment but many moments where it's been very, very difficult, not only myself but my team and my family. But that's where you've got to stay strong, you've got to keep on going.

"I know that I'm very grateful to live the life that I have and I'm very motivated for the future as well. That's the one thing that's kept me going is to keep in mind that I do have a big vision for myself, and I know that time will come again, but I have to keep on persevering."

Draper is next set to play the ATP 500 events in Doha and Dubai before travelling to North America, where he seeks to defend the Masters 1000 title he won in Indian Wells last year.