Draper Builds Momentum for Wimbledon with Murray's Guidance
Jack Draper is optimistic about his fitness and prospects after enduring a challenging year marked by injuries. He credits his close relationship with Andy Murray for providing crucial support as he prepares to return to competitive tennis at the Eastbourne International.
Draper will make his first appearance in two and a half months at the Eastbourne International starting Monday. He has been sidelined for nearly the entire past year due to persistent arm and knee injuries. This tournament also marks his debut since enlisting Murray, his childhood idol and friend, as his coach.
“His tennis knowledge is incredible,”Draper said of Murray. Regarding his own condition, he added,
“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.”
Just a year ago, Draper appeared to be on an upward trajectory, enjoying a prolonged period of good health that propelled him to a career-high ranking of world No 4. However, the last 11 months have been dominated by a cycle of injuries and pain. The 24-year-old last competed at the Barcelona Open in early April, where he retired due to knee tendonitis. This knee issue followed a seven-month hiatus caused by a bone bruise in his left arm. As a result, Draper has dropped to No 113 in the world rankings.
Despite the setbacks, Draper always believed in his eventual return but admitted the mental toll was significant.
“It’s been an incredibly difficult year,”he said.
“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.”
Draper has had to accept that his arm injury
“might never go away”but remains determined to achieve the career he envisions.
“I was top 10 in the world, doing great things, and you’re losing your ranking every week,”he explained.
“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 experience, Draper believes, will ultimately provide him with a competitive edge.
“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.”
