Jack Draper is optimistic about his return to the tennis circuit at Eastbourne, attributing much of his renewed confidence to his relationship with Andy Murray. The young athlete, who has faced a challenging 11 months marred by injuries, is set to compete for the first time in two and a half months at the Eastbourne International starting Monday.
This tournament marks a significant milestone for Draper as he prepares for Wimbledon, beginning the following week. It also serves as his initial competition since he invited Murray, his childhood idol and a close friend, to join his team as a coach.
“His tennis knowledge is incredible,” Draper remarked about Murray. Reflecting on his own situation, he stated, “My tennis is actually in a really, really good spot. [I have] lost a lot of confidence in my body over the last year that I’m rebuilding back again. “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 and I need to have that good energy around me.”
Challenges Over the Past Year
Draper’s journey has not been easy. After experiencing a promising rise to a career-high ranking of world No. 4, he has been caught in a cycle of injuries and setbacks for nearly a year. He last played in early April at the Barcelona Open, where he had to retire due to knee tendonitis, shortly after dealing with a seven-month absence caused by a bone bruise in his left arm. Currently, he has dropped to No. 113 in the world rankings.
Despite his challenges, Draper maintained a positive outlook, admitting that he was “It’s been an incredibly difficult year,” mentally well over the past year. “I’m someone who’s all-in with my tennis. I’m obsessed with improving and getting better and being the best in the world and doing all the right things. “Outside of tennis, there’s not a lot going on for me. So it’s obviously been very difficult, very isolated, a lot of tough days, a lot of training. As a competitor, all you want to do is feel the buzz of being out there competing. I’ve had to be incredibly patient with my body.” he shared. “I was top 10 in the world, doing great things, and you’re losing your ranking every week,”
Building Resilience
He acknowledged the isolating nature of his struggles, saying, “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. So it’s tough, but I think I’ve learned a massive amount about my body in the last year and my recovery.” The longing to experience the excitement of competition has been a driving force for him, as he noted the importance of patience with his body during this period.
While Draper has come to terms with the possibility that his arm injury “Before, in the position I was, I still felt like maybe there’s mental levels I needed to go to to get to where I wanted to be. And even though my ranking slipped and I haven’t played, when you go through a lot of struggles and a lot of setbacks, it definitely gives you the mental fortitude to think: ‘I’ve got something a little bit extra to these guys because of what I’ve gone through.’” he remains determined to achieve the career he aspires to. “I was top 10 in the world, doing great things, and you’re losing your ranking every week,” he expressed, highlighting the emotional toll of watching his status decline.
Gaining Mental Fortitude
Draper views this challenging phase as an opportunity for growth. He stated, “Before, in the position I was, I still felt like maybe there’s mental levels I needed to go to to get to where I wanted to be. And even though my ranking slipped and I haven’t played, when you go through a lot of struggles and a lot of setbacks, it definitely gives you the mental fortitude to think: ‘I’ve got something a little bit extra to these guys because of what I’ve gone through.’”
