Jack Draper is a major doubt for Indian Wells after the British number three withdrew from his semi-final clash with Alex de Minaur at the Mexican Open

Jack Draper faces a battle to be fit for Indian Wells after being forced to retire from his Mexican Open semi-final against Alex de Minaur.

The 22-year-old was one set all with world No 9 De Minaur when he started to suffer stomach cramps and called it a day trailing 4-0 in the third set.

‘I hate to pull out but I was feeling really unwell,’ Draper posted on Instagram, after withdrawing mid-match for a sixth time in his short career. 

It was a sad end to an otherwise sparkling week in Acapulco, with his run to the semis seeing Draper move to a best ever No 37 in the world rankings.

That has seen the rising star leapfrog Dan Evans to become British No 2 for the first time. A good run at Indian Wells could also see him topple Cameron Norrie as British No 1.

Draper was level at one set all with Alex de Minaur in his semi-final clash before calling it quits 

Draper would have made a leap into the world’s top 30 with victory in Acapulco, but he needs to hope he can recover in time to play his first round match at the ATP 1000 event at Indian Wells later this week.

‘I have spoken about rankings goals with my coach and if I can stay injury-free and stay on the trajectory I have been on since last summer, there is no reason why I can’t be ranked in the top 20 by the end of this year,’ said Draper.

Draper has unfinished business after last year retiring with an abdominal injury against eventual winner Carlos Alcaraz in round four.