Draper Energized For Eastbourne Return, Inspired By Murray

Draper is set to make his comeback at Eastbourne after a grueling 11-month spell plagued by injury, revitalized by his “very special” bond with coach Andy Murray and the Scot’s unwavering confidence in his abilities. Draper will be making his return to the court in more than two and a half months at the Eastbourne International on Monday. This will be his first competitive event since enlisting the help of his idol and childhood friend, Andy Murray, as his coach, and follows an almost year-long layoff due to a persistent arm and knee injuries.

He’ll be hoping to sharpen up in time for Wimbledon, which is now only a week and a bit away.

“His tennis knowledge is phenomenal,” said Draper about Murray. “My tennis is actually in a really, really good spot,” he added, referring to his physical condition, “I’ve lost a lot of confidence in my body over the last year that I’m rebuilding back again.”

He also stressed the impact of having Murray by his side, “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 12 months ago Draper was enjoying a stellar run of good form, achieving a career-high ranking of 4 in the world, but the last 11 months have been a miserable saga of injuries and pain.

Draper, 24, has not competed since the start of April after he withdrew from the Barcelona Open, suffering knee tendinitis.

The knee injury had itself come after seven months out with a bone bruise in his left arm sustained in a fall, causing him to slip to world No 113. (AP) Jack Draper at work under the watchful eye of Andy Murray in Eastbourne. Photograph: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images for LTA. Despite the setback, Draper always felt he would eventually make it back.

He did, however, concede, “I was absolutely not” psychologically sound over the past year. “It’s been an incredibly tough year,” Draper 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 admits that he accepts that his arm may “never go away,” but has no doubts about achieving the career he feels he deserves.

“I was top 10 in the world, doing great things, and you’re losing your ranking every week,” he said. “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.” As for the benefits that might come from such a troubled period, Draper believes they’ll provide an 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,” he said.

“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.’”