Full Breakdown
Jack Draper Returns to Eastbourne Under Andy Murray's Coaching
6/20/2026, 1:24:47 AM
Eastbourne Return: First Match Since April
Jack Draper will make his first competitive appearance since the Barcelona Open in early April at the Eastbourne Open, which kicks off on Monday, 22 June 2026. The grass-court event serves as a final warm-up before Wimbledon, scheduled to begin on 29 June. Draper withdrew from the Queen’s Club tournament last week to focus on recovery.
Injury History and Ranking Slide
Draper’s 2025 season ended after a left-arm injury, and a knee injury forced his retirement at the Barcelona Open in April 2026. Shoulder and elbow problems followed, pushing his ranking from a career-high No. 4 to outside the top 100. The latest ATP list places him at No. 160.
Main Actors: Draper and Murray
Jack Draper, identified as 24 years old by the BBC, is the player in focus. Former world No. 1 Andy Murray, 39, joined Draper’s team in May 2026 as a temporary coach and adviser, drawing on recent experience coaching Novak Djokovic and his own recent retirement, and has been training at the LTA’s National Tennis Centre.
Recent Form and Rankings
As of June 2026, Draper holds ATP rank No. 160 with 360 points. His season record stands at 5-4, featuring a quarter-final win over Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells and a loss to Daniil Medvedev in the same tournament. Recent victories include matches against Quentin Halys and Roberto Bautista Agut.
Murray’s Official Outlook
Murray told BBC Sport that he hopes the partnership will continue beyond the grass-court season. He said the priority is to get Draper match-fit, restore confidence in his body, and achieve consistent competition. Murray also expressed confidence that Draper can win at the highest level once fully healthy.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I hope so!” — Andy Murray, former world No. 1, on a long-term coaching partnership.
- “I think the number one priority for Jack and the team just now is getting him back on the match court, competing and gaining trust in his body again.” — Andy Murray.
- “I’ve been incredibly impressed with his tennis on the practice court. He’s a super quick learner and a brilliant player as well,” — Andy Murray.
- “He also made clear how highly he rates him, saying Draper’s tennis is “bloody good” and that he believes the 22-year-old has very few holes in his game.” — Andy Murray.
Implications for Wimbledon and British Tennis
An Eastbourne win would provide Draper with the match rhythm needed for Wimbledon, which begins a week later. If he remains healthy and regains form, he could climb back into the top 100 before the end of 2026, strengthening Britain’s representation among the sport’s elite.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Draper’s age—BBC lists him as 24, another outlet as 22. Rankings also vary, with one report citing No. 113 and the ATP list showing No. 160. No dissenting commentary on the Murray partnership appears in the material.
Upcoming Calendar
Eastbourne runs 22 June–3 July 2026. Wimbledon follows from 29 June to 12 July. Draper’s subsequent schedule will depend on his health and performance in Eastbourne.
