Jack Draper pulls out of UTS London Grand Final as British No 1 replaced by Ugo Humbert
British No 1 Jack Draper was due to make his return from injury in London this week; Draper announced in September that he wouldn't play any more ranking tournaments this season and has now withdrawn from this week's tournament
Thursday 4 December 2025 19:12, UK
British No 1 Jack Draper has pulled out of this week's Victorian Plumbing UTS London Grand Final, live on Sky Sports, in a further delay to his return from injury.
The tournament on home soil was due to be his first since withdrawing from the US Open due to arm injury, but the 23-year-old pulled out on Monday.
Draper said in a statement: "I've been working hard to be back for UTS in London but frustratingly I'm just not quite ready.
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"It's a tough call as at this point I want nothing more than to get out there and compete but I've been advised to take more time. I'm sorry to let down fans and miss out on this event."
Draper was replaced by Frenchman Ugo Humbert for the tournament which takes place at London's Copper Box Arena from December 5-7 live on Sky Sports.
The UTS format means that all eight players will be in action on both December 5 and 6, with both semi-finals and the final taking place the following day.
Draper, winner of the 2023 UTS London Grand Final, was diagnosed as having bone bruising after his defeat to Marin Cilic in the second round of Wimbledon and the London-born star admitted he came back too soon by playing the US Open.
His decision to shut down the rest of his ranking tournament season thereafter saw him lose all the points he accrued in winning last year's Vienna Open, due to being unable to defend his title this year.
At the time, Draper said: "Unfortunately, the injury to my arm is something I have to rest and means I'll be sitting out the rest of 2025.
"It is very difficult for me to accept as I was building some incredible momentum this year and playing some great stuff.
"However I've been through this before - and I always come back stronger as I'm so motivated to fulfil my potential as a player."
Humbert will take Draper's place in Group B alongside Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud, Latin American star Francisco Cerundolo and Belgian talent David Goffin.
Last year's UTS London Grand Final champion Alex de Minaur heads up Group A, with Andrey Rublev, Tomas Machac and Adrian Mannarino.
What's the schedule (live on Sky Sports)?
Friday, December 5 (5pm)
ALL STAR GAME I 8 PLAYERS
Rublev vs Machac
De Minaur vs Mannarino
Humbert vs Goffin
Ruud vs Cerundolo
Saturday Afternoon, December 6 (1pm)
Machac vs Mannarino
Ruud vs Goffin
Humbert vs Cerundolo
De Minaur vs Rublev
Saturday Evening, December 6 (6.15pm)
Cerundolo vs Goffin
Rublev vs Mannarino
Ruud vs Humbert
De Minaur vs Machac
Sunday, December 7
De Minaur, Rublev, Mannarino, Humbert, Goffin, Ruud, Machac and Cerundolo: who will make it to the final four?
The eight players will compete for the title of 2025 UTS Grand Final champion, the unique Zeus trophy and a share of a total prize-money pot of £1,394,000.
"We are delighted to be partnering with Sky Sports for the very first time on UTS London Grand Final," said Karsten Mahlmann, Senior Vice President International Media at SPORTFIVE.
"UTS is a truly innovative property that challenges the traditional tennis format while delivering high-energy, entertaining competition for a broad audience. Sky Sports is the ideal partner to help elevate this event in a key market, and we are confident that UK and Irish viewers will embrace this fresh take on the sport."
UTS Rules
- Eight elite players competing across two round-robin groups
- Top four advance to the semi-finals
- Players are guaranteed a minimum of three matches each
- Finalists will contest five matches over three days
- Matches consist of four eight-minute quarters, with timing paused during three-minute breaks
- Less time (15 seconds) between points
- No second serve
- Unlimited coaching from the sidelines
- Player interviews between the quarters
- First player to win three quarters wins the match
- Strategic use of bonus cards by players
- If tied 2-2, a dramatic 'Sudden Death' decider determines the winner
- First player to win two consecutive points claims the match
- Every point from the second point onward becomes match point
- An iconic lightning bolt trophy... and more
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