Jack Draper set for Eastbourne return with Andy Murray as coach after injury-hit year

Jack Draper will step onto the court at the Eastbourne International on Monday for his first competitive match in two and a half months, ending a prolonged period of injury-enforced isolation. The 24-year-old Briton, who reached a career-high ranking of world No. 4 in 2025, has seen his ranking slide to No. 113 (and is projected to fall to No. 160 next week) after a series of physical setbacks limited him to just 11 matches in the past year. Draper has added former world No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray to his coaching team, a move he believes can help him rebuild both his body and his belief.

Injury struggles

Draper’s troubles began at Wimbledon in 2025, where a career-best run to the semi-finals was overshadowed by the onset of bone bruising in his left arm. The injury forced him to cut his season short, and a seven-month layoff followed. When he returned to the tour in 2026, a knee tendonitis issue flared up at the Barcelona Open in early April, forcing him to retire and keeping him sidelined for another two months. The American hard-court swing and the clay season passed without him, and he missed the last two Grand Slams.

Tennis is a tough sport because I was top 10 in the world, doing great things, and you’re losing your ranking every week. It’s not like a football team where you can have a substitute come in and take your place. It’s like you’re watching your decline.

The repeated absences have taken a mental toll. Draper admitted he was "absolutely not" OK over the past year, describing it as "very isolated" with many tough days. He has, however, come to terms with the fact that his arm injury "might never go away" and is determined to manage it. "I don’t believe I’m an injured athlete - I’m a strong athlete," he said. "I don’t picture my career being all injuries."

Murray’s guidance

Last month, Draper asked Andy Murray, his childhood idol and a friend, to join his team as coach. Murray, whose own career was punctuated by hip surgeries and comebacks, brings not only tactical insight but a deep understanding of the psychological grind of injury recovery. The two have already worked on technical adjustments, including a switch to a platform serving stance to reduce strain on Draper’s left arm.

His tennis knowledge is incredible... Having someone who believes in you as a person, as a player who’s one of your biggest inspirations... I have a great relationship with him off the court - our relationship is very special - and that gives me a bit more energy, especially in a moment where I’m coming back.

Timeline of setbacks

Since his Indian Wells triumph in March 2025, Draper’s career has been a series of stops and starts. He reached the Wimbledon semi-final that July, but the arm injury suffered there forced him to cut his season short. A knee issue in Barcelona in April 2026 extended his absence. His return in Eastbourne marks the first step in a new chapter.

Return to competition

In Eastbourne, Draper will face American Brandon Nakashima, the world No. 32 who reached the Queen’s semi-finals this week. It is a challenging first test, but Draper says his tennis is "in a really, really good spot" and that the main task is to rebuild confidence in his body after a year of setbacks. He and Murray trained on practice courts on Saturday, refining the biomechanics that could prolong his career.

Wimbledon target

The Eastbourne event serves as a warm-up for Wimbledon, which begins on June 29. Draper’s ranking slide means he will rely on a protected ranking or a wildcard for the Grand Slam, but his immediate focus is on regaining match sharpness and sustaining his physical resilience. "I’ve learned a massive amount about my body in the last year and my recovery," he said.