The two players took to social media to announce their withdrawals from this week’s tournaments

Taylor Fritz is no stranger to pain, but even the toughest athletes have their breaking points. The American tennis star recently withdrew from the ATP 500 event in Acapulco, revealing that he has been “playing through” an abdominal injury for weeks. This revelation has sparked debate among fans and experts alike—should he be admired for his resilience, or is he just being stubborn and reckless?

Meanwhile, Britain’s Jack Draper also announced his withdrawal from the ATP 500 event in Dubai, citing the need to “manage his body.” Unlike Fritz, who seemingly pushed through discomfort until he couldn’t anymore, Draper made what some might call the “smarter” decision to pull back before his condition worsened. So, who’s got the right approach?

Taylor Fritz’s announcement came via Instagram, where he expressed his frustration over playing through pain since before the Dallas Open earlier this month. Despite the injury, Fritz competed in Dallas (losing in the second round to eventual champion Denis Shapovalov) and later in Delray Beach, where he fell in the semifinals during his title defense against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

“I’m at a point now where it has not improved and it’s frustrating to be playing when I know I can’t play 100% and am avoiding certain shots or just hitting shots differently than I normally would to avoid the pain,” Fritz wrote.

If anything, this statement highlights just how much he has been compensating for his injury. Playing through pain is one thing, but altering your game to accommodate an injury? That’s a recipe for disaster. Yet, Fritz remains hopeful that a week of rest and rehab will be enough to get him back to 100%. Wishful thinking? Perhaps.

On the other hand, Jack Draper, who reached the Doha final but lost to Andrey Rublev in three sets, decided to pull out of Dubai before things got worse. The official reason? A right adductor injury.

Unlike Fritz, Draper has a history of injuries haunting him. Earlier this year, he withdrew from the United Cup due to a hip injury and later retired mid-match against Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open’s fourth round after playing three consecutive five-setters. Clearly, his body has been through the wringer.

Draper took to X (formerly Twitter) to explain his decision:

“After a great week… I’m taking on board advice to prioritize my recovery and manage my body after a number of long matches, and give myself the best chance of competing consistently throughout the year.”

Smart move? Maybe. But it does raise the question—should players be more willing to push their limits, or is preservation the key to a longer career?

The tennis world is divided when it comes to handling injuries. Some argue that playing through pain is part of the job—after all, the greatest players have pushed through discomfort and still managed to win Grand Slams. Rafael Nadal has practically built his career on playing injured, yet his 22 Grand Slam titles speak for themselves. On the flip side, others believe that modern athletes should take better care of their bodies instead of risking long-term damage.

Fritz’s decision to keep playing despite pain could be seen as the mark of a true warrior, but it could also shorten his career if he aggravates the injury. Draper’s cautious approach might seem soft to old-school fans, but if it helps him stay in the game longer, does it really matter?

Then there’s the element of pressure. Athletes are expected to perform, no matter what. Fans demand consistency, sponsors want their stars on the court, and rankings wait for no one. Is it really a choice for players, or are they simply forced to decide between playing hurt or risking irrelevance?

Both Fritz and Draper are eyeing a return for the Sunshine Double—Indian Wells and Miami. Fritz, a former Indian Wells champion, will be eager to defend his home turf, but will a week of rest really be enough to recover from a persistent abdominal issue? The same question applies to Draper, who has shown immense promise but continues to battle his own body.

Tennis fans love a comeback story, but they also love to scrutinize. If Fritz returns and struggles, people will say he should have taken more time off. If Draper pulls out of another tournament, the whispers of “too fragile” will only grow louder.

Could these withdrawals be early warning signs of a bigger issue? Will Fritz’s decision to push through pain come back to haunt him? Will Draper be able to build the consistency his career desperately needs?

In the end, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to injuries. Some players thrive on pushing their limits, while others prioritize longevity. Fritz’s determination is admirable, but it comes with risks. Draper’s caution is sensible, but it might not sit well with fans who expect warriors, not worriers.

One thing’s for sure—both players will be under intense scrutiny when they return. Will Fritz’s gamble pay off, or will his injury haunt him? Will Draper’s caution be the right move, or will he be seen as too fragile for the demands of the sport?

Only time will tell, but until then, the debate rages on. Is it better to play through pain and risk disaster, or step back and endure the inevitable criticism? Tennis, like life, is a brutal balancing act.