Draper Returns to Competitive Tennis with Murray's Coaching Support at Eastbourne

Jack Draper secured a 6-4 7-6 (7-5) victory over American Marcos Giron in his first competitive match in over two months at the Eastbourne Open on Monday 22 June 2026. The 24-year-old British player, sidelined by knee tendonitis since April, made his comeback with Sir Andy Murray joining his coaching team for the grass-court season. The partnership between the three-time Grand Slam champion and Draper got off to a winning start, with the young player describing his performance as "winning ugly" in the style of his new mentor.

Draper's return marks a significant milestone after an injury-plagued year that has limited him to just 12 matches in 2026. The problems began at Wimbledon last year, interrupting what had been his breakthrough period—he reached the 2024 US Open semi-finals and climbed to a career-high world ranking of fourth before injuries to his arm, knee, and shoulder disrupted his progress. His last competitive victory came against Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells in March. Despite struggling with consistency during Monday's tie-break, Draper held his nerve to advance and set up a second-round clash against fellow Briton Jack Pinnington Jones.

Draper expressed deep gratitude for Murray's involvement, emphasizing that the former British number one has been a significant inspiration since his childhood. "Andy is truthfully one of my biggest inspirations," Draper said. "When I was younger I remember him playing all the big events and being there to watch him." He credited Murray not only as a coach but as a mentor and source of confidence during his comeback journey. Murray himself praised Draper's tennis abilities, describing them as "bloody good," which Draper noted was a powerful confidence boost coming from someone who reached world number four and dealt with similar injury challenges.

Physically, Draper reported being in a "very stable place" with his injuries, though knee tendonitis requires ongoing management. He emphasized regaining full explosive power and capacity after an extended period of reduced capability. The timing of his return is strategic, occurring just one week before Wimbledon begins. Draper acknowledged the difficulty of his year but expressed optimism about building momentum on grass with Murray's guidance, aiming to prove his fitness and competitive readiness for the major championships ahead.