Jack Draper is making his comeback to professional tennis on Thursday as he represents Great Britain in the Davis Cup. This marks his first competitive match since the 2025 US Open, and only his second since Wimbledon 2025, following a long recovery from a left arm bone bruise.
Fully fit now, Draper is preparing to face a strong Norwegian lineup at Oslo’s Nadderud Arena, highlighting the significance of his return after nearly ten months sidelined due to injury.
Changes to British lineup following Ruud’s withdrawal
Initially expected to face Norway’s Casper Ruud in his second singles match, Draper’s schedule changed after Ruud withdrew to be with his wife after their first child’s birth. Instead, Draper will face Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, a promising young talent on the ATP Tour and former junior world number one.
Draper acknowledges Kjaer’s challenging presence on the court
Nicolai Budkov Kjaer has quickly made his mark, winning the 2024 Wimbledon Boys Singles title and advancing to the 2025 ATP Next Gen Finals final, where he lost to world number 24 Learner Tien. Draper expressed respect for the Norwegian ahead of their encounter, emphasizing Kjaer’s junior success and determined play at the professional level.
They’ve got a young player in [Nicolai Budkov] Kjaer, who was number one in the world juniors and playing great tennis on the tour,
Draper said.
He’ll be tough to beat – a young guy who’s got a lot to prove. It’s going to be a great challenge for us all but I think we’re ready to embrace it and fight for every point.
Draper’s team includes Cameron Norrie, Jacob Fearnley, Julian Cash, and Lloyd Glasspool, while Norway fields Viktor Durasovic, Lukas Hellum Lilleengen, and Andreja Petrovic alongside Kjaer.
Davis Cup match schedule between Great Britain and Norway
The upcoming Davis Cup tie features a series of competitive matches:
- Match One: Jack Draper vs. Viktor Durasovic
- Match Two: Cameron Norrie vs. Nicolai Budkov Kjaer
- Match Three: Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool vs. Viktor Durasovic and Lukas Hellum Lilleengen (Doubles)
- Match Four: Jack Draper vs. Nicolai Budkov Kjaer
- Match Five: Cameron Norrie vs. Viktor Durasovic
Draper has shared that the road to recovery included difficult periods, but he hopes this Davis Cup tie will help him move beyond those struggles and lead Great Britain to victory in the qualifying round.
Historical perspective: Great Britain’s 1948 Davis Cup clash with Norway
Reflecting on past encounters, Great Britain previously faced Norway from May 11 to 13, 1948, in a Europe Zone Davis Cup tie held on clay courts in Oslo. This match followed Britain’s initial win over India, with Norway having received a bye in the first round.
Norwegian Johan Hannes gave his team an early lead by defeating Geoffrey Paish 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the opening rubber. Despite this setback, the British side dominated the remainder of the tie.
British players secure a strong victory in 1948 matchup
Tony Mottram defeated Jan Staubo in straight sets to level the tie, and then paired with Henry Billington to win the doubles match, putting Great Britain ahead 2-1. Geoffrey Paish clinched the fourth rubber by overcoming Staubo, and Mottram sealed the tie with a convincing win over Johan Hannes, finishing 6-1, 6-0, 5-7, 6-1, resulting in a 4-1 overall victory.
