Jack Draper returns to competition at Eastbourne Open
Jack Draper steps back onto the competitive stage today at the Eastbourne Open, marking his first match in over two months following an injury nightmare that’s seen his world ranking tumble from fourth to 113, reports BritPanorama.
The 24-year-old faces American Brandon Nakashima, seeded fifth at Devonshire Park, in what promises to be an emotional return for the former British number one.
It has been a brutal 11 months for Draper, who last played at the Barcelona Open in mid-April before retiring against Tomas Etcheverry with knee tendonitis. That setback followed a seven-month absence caused by bone bruising in his left arm.
For this grass-court campaign, Draper has a fresh face in his corner: two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, who has taken on his first coaching role since parting ways with Novak Djokovic in May. Murray has already made his mark, implementing biomechanical tweaks to Draper’s serve that could prove crucial for his long-term fitness.
“I went to a platform serve because I’ve always had a good serve… but, technically, I was using my arm way too much. I wasn’t using my legs,” Draper explained. Such changes feel particularly significant given that Draper nearly required surgery on his arm back in 2023 due to a subscapularis rupture.
Throughout his struggles, Draper has been refreshingly honest about the mental toll of his injuries, admitting he was “absolutely not” mentally OK during the past year. He described the unique cruelty of tennis injuries, noting, “It’s like you’re watching your decline.”
However, Draper is determined that this period will not define him. “I’ve had a lot of injuries but I’m not an injured athlete, I don’t believe I’m an injured athlete – I’m a strong athlete,” he stated. Murray’s presence is providing the boost Draper needs as Wimbledon looms on the horizon. “His tennis knowledge is incredible,” Draper said of his new coach, “Having someone who believes in you as a person, as a player who’s one of your biggest inspirations… our relationship is very special.”
Murray has expressed enthusiasm about what he has observed in training sessions, describing Draper’s tennis as “b***y good” and emphasising that he is a more complete player than expected. While balancing coaching with family life, Murray remains open to extending their partnership beyond the grass-court season, a prospect that Draper finds encouraging. “It gives me a big boost!” he concluded.
As the grass-court season unfolds, the synergy between Draper and Murray will be closely watched, embodying the complexities of renewal amid a sport that demands precision and resilience in equal measure.
