Jack Draper shaved his head and social media is choosing sides like it’s a five-setter.
The British No. 1 unveiled a low buzz cut on Instagram this Valentine’s Day, a striking cosmetic change that comes after months off with a left arm injury and a withdrawal from the 2025 US Open.
Draper’s comeback and the big chop
Draper enjoyed a stand-out 2025 season that included winning Indian Wells and career-best runs at the Australian Open and Roland-Garros, rising to former No. 4 before injury interrupted his momentum and forced a lengthy spell away from tour-level play.
“I’m sorry to say I’ll be withdrawing from the US Open,”
Jack Draper
Return to court and the reveal
When Draper got back on court in February he reminded people he can still deliver results, producing a straightforward Davis Cup singles win that underscored his potential for a full return to form after surgery and rehab.
That February match included a decisive straight sets score, a tidy 6-2, 6-2 victory over Viktor Durasovic, which showed he had not lost his competitive edge even after months of limited match play.
The hair change arrived in the middle of that comeback narrative when Draper posted photos of a low buzz cut on Instagram on Valentine’s Day, swapping the brown crop fringe fans had come to recognize for a much shorter, shaved style.
For years a certain fringe had become part of his on-court image and brand, so the new look registered as an attention-grabbing visual subtraction that made him look like a very different player off the court.
Early reactions were emphatic and mostly theatrical, with social feeds filling up with disbelief, memes and pleas, which is to say the tennis public did exactly what it always does when a familiar look changes suddenly.
Fans made their feelings plain in comment threads, with lines that mixed humor and genuine shock as followers debated whether the haircut was a style choice or an impulsive moment captured on camera for the internet to inspect.
One fan wrote, “Jack, you had one job. One. Don’t touch your hair,” while another begged, “GROW THE HAIR BACK!! You’ve devastated the internet,” and yet a third asked, “Did you lose a bet Jack,” capturing the mix of anger and amusement online.
The reaction even included terse social posts from tennis media, with The Tennis Letter noting plainly, “Jack Draper shaved his head. I repeat… Jack Draper shaved his head,” a line that summed up how quickly the moment became a meme.
Beyond the haircut, eagle-eyed fans noticed other recent off-court changes, including a new tattoo spotted after a dip in a Norwegian outdoor sauna; Daily Mail coverage detailed ink on his lower midriff along with previously visible pieces like a lightning bolt and the words ‘someone said’.
What the look means for the comeback
Appearance changes make for click-friendly headlines but the core issue remains Draper’s recovery trajectory; he has framed the return to top-tier tennis as a process, acknowledging both progress and setbacks as part of the road back.
“I think last year definitely started off amazingly well,” Draper said when reflecting on 2025, words that underline how high the stakes felt for him and why any interruption to momentum has been significant to both player and fans.
He also admitted the comeback would take time, describing the second half of last year as challenging but stressing he drew belief from earlier success, a line that explains why he is cautious with scheduling and public appearances while rebuilding match fitness.
Cosmetic changes do not make or break a player’s serve, yet they create conversation and distraction, and Draper will need to manage both public curiosity and physical recovery if he wants to climb back toward the Tour’s upper ranks.
For now the buzz cut is a sub-plot to a larger story about resilience, rehabilitation and impatience from supporters who want to see him back near the top, but the straight answer is simple: form and fitness will decide the headlines long term.
Whether he regrows the fringe or keeps the low buzz, the priority is health, and as much as fans enjoy a good hairstyle debate, tennis rewards performance on court more than looks, even if the internet would prefer otherwise.
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Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
