Australian Open 2025 results: Jack Draper retires against Carlos Alcaraz in Melbourne fourth round

British number one Jack Draper’s excitement ended as Spanish third seed Carlos Alcaraz reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

Draper, the 15th seed, retired when trailing 7-5, 6-1 against four-time major champion Alcaraz on a hot day in Melbourne.

The 23-year-old left-hander required off-court treatment after the first set before leaving the match at the end of the second set.

He raised both hands to the crowd and apologized before leaving Rod Laver Arena in a warm embrace.

“This is not the way I want to win,” Alcaraz said.

“I’m happy to be playing another quarter-final here in Australia, but I’m sad for Jack – he doesn’t deserve to be injured.

“I wish him a speedy recovery.”

Draper, who came through three tough five-setters to reach the fourth round, was the only Briton to reach the last 16 of either men’s or women’s singles.

The 21-year-old Alcaraz was far from his best during his encounter, but continued his bid to become the youngest person to complete a career Grand Slam in the Open era.

The reigning back-to-back Wimbledon champion, who also won the 2022 US Open and 2024 French Open, may next face Novak Djokovic.

Serbia’s Djokovic, aiming for a record 11th men’s singles title in Australia, will play Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic on Sunday.