British tennis player Jack Draper has opened up about the physical and mental challenges he has faced over the past year, as well as his new coaching partnership with former world No. 1 Andy Murray.

Once ranked as high as No. 4 in the world and touted as a potential Grand Slam contender, Draper’s career has been disrupted by injury setbacks. In mid-2025, a complex bone injury in his left arm sidelined him for nearly eight months. He then aggravated a tendon issue in his right knee during his comeback in early 2026, forcing him to withdraw from several tournaments, including last month’s French Open. His ATP ranking has since fallen to No. 113.

Draper described the toll these injuries have taken on his mental health, citing feelings of isolation and frustration in the face of uncertainty around his recovery. “There are a lot of times when you feel incredibly isolated,” he said, explaining the cyclical nature of progress and setback that affected his physical and mental wellbeing. Despite these difficulties, he emphasized his determination to return to top-level competition and fulfill his potential.

Central to Draper’s restart is his decision to form a coaching partnership with Murray, one of British tennis’s most celebrated figures. The collaboration will be officially launched at the Eastbourne tournament this week. Draper recalled admiring Murray throughout his youth and noted the trust and respect that underpin their relationship. Murray, who retired from professional tennis in 2023, will provide guidance primarily during the grass-court season, opting not to commit to full-time tour travel.

Murray’s experience and calm demeanor are expected to offer Draper both tactical insight and a boost in confidence. “He’s quite analytical, quite technical,” Draper said of Murray. “It’s not only going to help develop my game, it will give me a lift as well.”

Draper acknowledged the pressure of carrying British hopes at Wimbledon, a stage where he has yet to advance past the second round in four appearances. He credited Murray’s understanding of managing expectations as a key asset in their partnership. “People will judge Andy coming in based on my result at Wimbledon, but I don’t know if I’ll do amazingly,” Draper said. “I want to do the best I can and be grateful to have him in my corner.”

Beyond his sporting struggles, Draper spoke candidly about the broader challenges of professional tennis, including dealing with public scrutiny and unexpected setbacks. Despite earning significant prize money and endorsement deals, he maintains a grounded lifestyle and a pragmatic approach to social media. He has more than 500,000 Instagram followers but rarely engages, citing the emotional toll of online criticism and the desire to stay focused.

Raised in a tennis environment—his mother was a former junior champion, his father a former chief executive of the Lawn Tennis Association, and his brother a collegiate player—Draper credited a strong family influence combined with personal drive for his success. He acknowledged that, while his family background invited accusations of nepotism early in his career, he has had to prove himself repeatedly on the circuit.

Draper also shared insights into personal difficulties that have shaped him, including his parents’ separation when he was 14, periods of isolation during his schooling and early career, and the emotional challenge of caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease.

Despite these hurdles, Draper remains committed to his tennis career, aiming for continued progression and targeting success at Wimbledon. Reflecting on his journey, he emphasized authenticity and resilience as keys to his approach, stating, “The best athletes don’t pretend to be someone else.”