Draper has risen to number 15 in the world after winning ATP titles in Stuttgart and Vienna and reaching the semi-finals of the US Open in a breakout 2024 season.
He will now spend Christmas in the UK before flying to Melbourne at the end of the month. He is not expected to play any events leading into the Australian Open.
“Together with [captain] Leon [Smith], we have also made the difficult decision for me to sit out the upcoming Davis Cup match in Japan in order to give me the opportunity post-Australian Open to complete the rehab and strengthening of my hip,” he added.
That could open the door for 23-year-old Jacob Fearnley to make his Davis Cup debut in his first full year on tour.
In the absence of Draper, Fearnley – the world number 99 after a rapid rise up the ATP rankings this year – would be the second highest-ranked British singles player available.
Cameron Norrie, ranked 49th in the world, could also make his return to the squad after missing September’s round-robin event, where Britain were unable to secure a place in November’s knockout stage.
