Jack Draper’s return to clay was cut short in Barcelona after a knee injury forced him to retire during his opening round match against Tomás Martín Etcheverry at the Barcelona Open.

Draper started brightly, taking the first set 6-3, but signs of discomfort appeared soon after as his movement became restricted. Etcheverry fought back to level the match, taking the second set by the same score line.

Before the deciding set, Draper received treatment from the physio, with strapping applied below his right knee in an attempt to keep him going. However, the issues persisted once play resumed.

Trailing 4-1 in the third set and visibly struggling to cover the court, the 24 year old eventually decided he could not continue, bringing a premature end to his match.

Ranked 28th in the world, Draper has been carefully managing his return to full fitness after a long spell out with a bruised bone in his left arm. He had already pulled out of the recent Monte Carlo Masters and has been easing back into competition since returning in February.

Barcelona was only his fourth tournament since that comeback.