As the Wimbledon season approaches, Andy Murray has expressed his support for Jack Draper, a burgeoning talent in British tennis. Draper’s journey back to full competition has been marked by perseverance as he recovers from several injuries that have temporarily dropped him to No. 113 in the world rankings. Despite these setbacks, Draper has been dedicated to regaining his form, training consistently at the Lawn Tennis Association’s National Tennis Centre. Murray, who has taken on a mentoring role, lauded Draper’s recovery efforts and described his tennis skills as “bloody good.”
At 23, Draper has faced challenges with knee, elbow, and shoulder injuries, but his commitment to rebuilding his fitness has been unwavering. Murray, who is assisting him with coaching advice, noted the young player’s substantial progress. Murray highlighted Draper’s impressive ability to absorb lessons quickly and his growing assurance on the court. The former world No. 1 expressed surprise at Draper’s comprehensive game and high level of performance, which he described as “very strong” and “complete.”
Looking ahead, Draper plans to participate in the tournament at Eastbourne as he works to restore his match rhythm and enhance his durability across various competitions. This period is crucial for Draper as he aims to secure his footing and regain his competitive edge on the professional circuit.
While Murray continues to support Draper’s development, he has clarified that his coaching role remains adaptable due to his personal commitments. He emphasized the importance of balancing his professional involvement with family responsibilities, which might affect the extent of his coaching engagements.
In related events at Queen’s Club, British wildcard Arthur Fery made headlines by reaching his first ATP quarter-final after defeating Adrian Mannarino in straight sets. Meanwhile, top-seeded Alex de Minaur maintained his strong performance, securing a comfortable win against Dennis Shapovalov.