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.’”

Serena Williams will step back onto Centre Court at Wimbledon this summer, returning to singles competition after being granted the final wildcard by the All England Club.

The announcement ends months of speculation about whether the 23-time Grand Slam champion would attempt a singles comeback. Williams, 44, retired from professional tennis at the 2022 U.S. Open, but her decision to resume doubles earlier this season hinted at unfinished business.

Her return to singles marks her first appearance in nearly four years, reigniting excitement among fans and raising questions about how competitive she can be at this stage of her career.

Williams is a seven-time Wimbledon singles champion, with her last triumph coming in 2016. However, her recent experiences at the tournament have been difficult. In 2021, she suffered a serious hamstring injury in the opening round. A year later, she lost to Harmony Tan in the first round, a defeat many believe influenced her determination to return.

She has not won a singles match at Wimbledon since 2019, making this comeback both a challenge and an opportunity to end her career at the All England Club on a stronger note.

Williams resumed competitive play in doubles earlier this month, partnering Victoria Mboko at Queen’s Club before Mboko withdrew due to injury. She later teamed up with Karolina Muchova in Berlin, losing in the opening round but expressing satisfaction with her performance.

Since then, she has been training on the grass courts at Wimbledon, preparing for the physical demands of singles competition. While doubles requires less movement, singles will test her endurance and agility.

The All England Club had only one singles wildcard left when the announcement was made. With the qualifying draw set to be published, officials confirmed Williams as the recipient, ensuring her place in the main draw.

Her inclusion adds star power to the tournament and offers fans the chance to witness one of the sport’s greatest champions compete again on the iconic grass courts.

Williams’s comeback is not just about results. At 44, she faces the reality that singles tennis demands far more physically than doubles. Yet her career has been defined by defying expectations.

Her victory over then-world No. 2 Anett Kontaveit at the 2022 U.S. Open showed she could still compete at the highest level. Whether she can replicate that form at Wimbledon remains uncertain, but her presence alone elevates the tournament.

The news has sparked excitement across the tennis world. Fans and analysts see her return as a chance to close her Wimbledon chapter differently. For many, it is less about titles and more about celebrating her enduring influence on the sport.

Serena Williams’s singles comeback at Wimbledon is both a sporting and symbolic moment. With a wildcard entry, she has the chance to rewrite her final chapter at the All England Club. Whether she advances deep into the draw or not, her return underscores her refusal to shy away from challenges and her lasting impact on tennis.

*Says call for resignation of Tinubu borne out of conspiracy to remove President, not patriotism

An opposition member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has faulted recent calls by the Minority Caucus of the House for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign over the country’s security challenges, describing such demands as politically motivated and unhelpful to efforts aimed at addressing insecurity.

Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, said tackling insecurity requires collective national responsibility and stronger collaboration with security agencies rather than what he termed “mere opposition rhetorics.”

The lawmaker who is a member of the Labour Party (LP) and Deputy Spokesperson of the House, was reacting to comments credited to the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Fred Agbedi, who recently urged President Tinubu to either resolve the nation’s security and economic challenges or resign from office.

Agbese, who is also an opposition lawmaker, argued that calls for the President’s resignation at a time security forces are intensifying operations against criminal elements across the country amounted to playing politics with national security.

According to him, the security situation in the country, though challenging, cannot be addressed through inflammatory statements or partisan attacks on the government.

He said, “The issue of insecurity is a national challenge that requires the collective support of all Nigerians. What we need at this critical time is partnership with our armed forces and security agencies, not rhetoric designed to score political points.”

The lawmaker maintained that members of the opposition should channel their energies towards supporting security institutions and offering practical solutions rather than making calls capable of undermining ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability.

“I am afraid, the Leader of the Minority who is yet to settle down to work has jumped into narrow conclusion that point to MPs being adversely maneuvered from outside the parliament by forces interested in President Tinubu’s job for 2027. Some of us in the opposition will not accept that”, he said.

Agbese further alleged that the demand for Tinubu’s resignation was driven more by political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections than genuine concern for the welfare of Nigerians.

“The call for the resignation of President Tinubu is not borne out of patriotism. It appears to be part of a broader conspiracy by some political actors who are desperate to remove the President from office through every available means,” he said.

He noted that security challenges confronting Nigeria predate the current administration and require sustained commitment, intelligence gathering, improved funding and cooperation among all stakeholders.

Agbese noted that the House of Representatives had recently invited the Security Chiefs for an interaction on the security challenges in the country which will take place soon.

The Benue lawmaker commended members of the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and other security operatives for their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
He urged Nigerians to rally behind the military and security agencies, stressing that public confidence and support were essential to winning the war against insecurity.

“Our armed forces are making enormous sacrifices daily. Instead of demoralising them through political attacks, we should encourage them and provide the support needed for them to succeed,” he said.

Agbese also expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s commitment to addressing the country’s security challenges, noting that the administration had continued to invest in security operations and strengthen the capacity of security agencies.

He called on political leaders across party lines to place national interest above partisan considerations and work together to confront the security threats facing the country.

According to him, lasting peace and security can only be achieved through unity, cooperation and a shared commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.