Jack Draper has been advised to move away from the constant scrutiny and rethink his schedule for the time being as he continues to work through a difficult run of injuries and defeats.

Not long ago, Draper was being discussed as a player capable of joining Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz near the top of the sport. But 23 months after his breakthrough semi-final at the 2024 US Open, the 24-year-old has slid to 139th in the world. Injuries have restricted him to only 14 matches this season, and his record stands at 8-6.

The former world No 4 has dealt with bone bruising in his left arm, while knee tendonitis also caused problems earlier in the year. He has suffered early exits in Canada and Cincinnati, and a wildcard for this year’s US Open looks unlikely.

Tennis content creator Gill Gross believes a return to the Challengers could help Draper rebuild confidence. That is a level where the left-hander enjoyed strong results in 2022.

Draper had been due to compete at the Brownsburg ATP 75 Challenger earlier in August, but he withdrew. Gross still feels that dropping down is the right step, especially as the Brit works through both physical and mental strain.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Gross said, “This is a very tricky situation, difficult to watch at times. In terms of solutions, he has looked towards the racket technology, softer strings, and a more forgiving frame. I think that’s a good move, although perhaps it has affected his confidence a bit. Perhaps it is something that Jack resents having to do in the first place.

“The only thing that I can say from this position that he hasn’t done is go to the lower levels to try to work things out. Because right now, tennis is a brutal sport this way. You are so exposed. You are absolutely naked in front of millions and millions of people.

“There is a degree of hiding if you go down to play tournaments that don’t have such a microscope on them, so that you’re not in this fishbowl playing in the largest stadiums in the world against the best players in the world. And maybe that could offer Jack some relief, or at least some time to figure himself out with a little bit less pressure, fewer eyeballs, less media, and worse opponents.

“Just an idea for Jack, something to consider if he feels like he’s having trouble making progress at the highest level of the sport. And if he feels like he’s struggling with the mental components of even attempting to do that, maybe look towards going down to the challenger level.”

Nick Kyrgios is under a provisional suspension from tennis after an anti-doping sample returned a positive result for cocaine, and the possible length of any ban now depends on how the case is handled.

The sample, taken on 22 June 2026, was found to contain benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. That was the same day Kyrgios lost to Adam Walton in the opening round of the ATP 250 event in Mallorca, the last singles match he played. The 2022 Wimbledon finalist then lost in the first round of the Wimbledon doubles event with Alexander Bublik the following week.

Kyrgios also played three matches at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown exhibition in Rio de Janeiro last month.

In a statement, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said: “Cocaine is a stimulant and substance of abuse on the WADA Prohibited List and is banned in competition under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.

“Because of the nature of the substance, a provisional suspension is mandatory and has been in place since 4 August 2026.”

Kyrgios has the right to appeal the provisional suspension, but he has not done so.

The former world No 13 could face a ban of up to four years, which is the maximum penalty for an anti-doping offence. If he can show the substance was taken outside competition, the maximum sanction would be three months.

After the positive test became public, Kyrgios posted on Instagram that he “made a huge mistake” and said: “I’ll do the work and come back better.”

Here is Kyrgios’ full statement:

“I wanted you to hear this from me first,” Kyrgios wrote.

“I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine. I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it. I’m sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone close to me. Above all, I’m sorry to the kids who follow me. I know the example this sets and I’m deeply disappointed in myself.

“I’m not going to make excuses, but I do want to give some context about where I’ve been. The last couple of years of injuries have taken a huge toll on me, both physically and mentally. My body hasn’t been able to do what my mind expects it to do, and coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined.

“I’ve always said I didn’t choose tennis – tennis chose me. But letting go of something that has been my whole life is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to face. At times I’ve felt helpless and alone. None of that excuses what I did.

“However, the good news is that this has given me a wake up call. For the next 28 days, I’ll be stepping away from social media and public life while I focus on getting myself right.

“I’d ask that people respect my privacy during that time, and most importantly the privacy of my family. I’m sorry. I’ll do the work and come back better.”

Rafael Jodar’s swift climb has prompted advice that he may benefit from adding another coach to work alongside his father.

The 19-year-old Spaniard has moved from 168th in the world at the start of the year to the brink of the top 10. His breakthrough campaign has included a maiden ATP Tour title in Morocco in April, as well as quarter-final runs in Madrid, Rome and the French Open. He also reached the last four in Montreal and finished runner-up in Washington this summer.

That form has lifted Jodar to 11th in the rankings and seventh in the race to Turin. Even so, former world No 1 in women’s doubles Rennae Stubbs believes an added experienced voice could help him deal with the demands that come with the next level.

Jodar and his father have earned considerable credit for getting this far, but Stubbs thinks a top coach could help refine the details that matter in the biggest moments. On her latest podcast, she pointed to Juan Carlos Ferrero as a possible addition.

Stubbs said on the latest episode of her podcast, “He [Jodar] was lovely, a delight to talk to, he answered the questions really in-depth. He was great with the fans.

“I do think there’s a little snippety or snickety [side to him], [he’s a] bit punchy sometimes on the court. But he’s 19; he’s learning to deal with these pressures now.”

She continued, “Maybe someone to add… Juan Carlos Ferrero. Somebody that can add that extra layer of how to emotionally handle the semi-final and the final. How to deal with the press.”

Stubbs also praised Jodar’s father, saying he has done a “great job” and is a “lovely human being”, while noting that the move from promising talent to major champion is never simple.

For now, Jodar is still progressing with little going wrong. He heads to Cincinnati hoping for another deep run before making his first US Open appearance.

Ferrero, who coached Carlos Alcaraz for six of his seven Grand Slam titles, has also spoken in the past about the possibility of working with Jannik Sinner. In June, he said it would be “beautiful” to coach the Italian and added that he likes Sinner’s attitude.