Sir Andy Murray has disclosed that he remains open to offering coaching support to Jack Draper as the young Brit prepares for his anticipated return to the professional circuit at the beginning of the next season. In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Murray confirmed that, despite having stepped away from a formal coaching role after a brief stint during the summer, he still harbors plans to work with Draper once the latter regains full fitness.
The background to this potential partnership lies in Draper's turbulent 2026 campaign. The Englishman missed all four Grand Slam tournaments after a persistent bone bruise in his dominant left arm forced him onto the sidelines. In an Instagram video posted in September, Draper hinted that his comeback could be delayed until as late as 2027, acknowledging that the injury had taken a heavy toll on both his physical condition and his confidence.
He explained that the lingering pain and the need for a cautious rehabilitation schedule meant he could not realistically target a return before the new year. During the summer months, Murray joined Draper’s livestream for a short period, stepping in after the player’s long‑time coach Jamie Delgado and the two appeared to develop a rapport.
Although that collaboration was brief, Murray’s comments suggest he never fully closed the door on a longer‑term mentoring relationship. "Yeah, there’s still plans to help him," Murray said, adding that the exact nature of that help would depend on a number of variables, including Draper’s world ranking when he finally steps back onto the tour. "I don’t know where that is.
I’m not entirely sure because his ranking will have dropped. I don’t know if he would get into Australia and potentially relying on wild cards and things like that, so we’ll see. Hopefully he’ll be back on the court training again soon and getting ready for the new season – it has been an interesting year." Draper himself has been candid about the mental and emotional strain of his injury layoff.
After a first‑round loss to Spain’s Martin Landaluce at the Cincinnati Open in August, he described his situation as a "difficult place," noting that the mental fatigue accumulated over fifteen months of battling a serious physical setback was proving hard to shake. The young player admitted that the constant cycle of treatment, physiotherapy, and limited practice had eroded his confidence and left him questioning his future trajectory.
Murray, who has experienced his own share of injury setbacks during his illustrious career, empathised with Draper’s plight. He reflected on the limited coaching opportunities he had been able to provide because of Draper’s intermittent absences from competition.
"I’ve been doing a little bit of coaching, which I’ve enjoyed, but also Jack’s had a few injuries and has been off the tour for quite a while, so I haven’t been able to get into that quite as much as I would have liked," Murray explained. Despite the constraints, Murray said he still finds pleasure in watching tennis and staying involved in the sport, even if his primary focus at the moment is spending time with his children.
The prospect of Murray returning to a more formal coaching capacity raises several interesting points for British tennis. First, Murray’s experience as a two‑time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1 provides a wealth of tactical knowledge and mental resilience that could prove invaluable for a player like Draper, who has already shown flashes of brilliance, including a stint as the world’s No. 4.
Second, Murray’s own battle with injuries could give him a unique perspective on how to manage physical setbacks, design effective rehabilitation programs, and maintain a competitive mindset during periods of limited play. From a logistical standpoint, the timing of Draper’s comeback will influence whether Murray can secure a regular coaching slot. If Draper’s ranking does indeed slip significantly during his time away, he may need to rely on wild‑card entries to compete in high‑profile events such as the Australian Open.
This scenario could limit the amount of tournament‑week preparation they have together, making off‑court training and strategic planning even more critical. Moreover, the broader context of British tennis development cannot be ignored. The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has been keen to nurture homegrown talent, and a partnership between Murray and Draper could be viewed as a flagship example of former champions giving back to the next generation. Such a collaboration might also inspire other retired players to take on mentorship roles, thereby strengthening the pipeline of elite British competitors.
While Murray remains optimistic about Draper’s return, he also acknowledges the uncertainties inherent in professional sport. "I don’t know where that is," he said, highlighting that the future is contingent on factors like injury recovery, ranking points, and the availability of tournament slots.
Nevertheless, his willingness to stay involved underscores a broader commitment to the sport beyond his own playing career. In summary, Sir Andy Murray has signaled that he is still prepared to assist Jack Draper once the latter is fully fit and ready to re‑enter the tour, potentially as early as the start of the next season. Their previous brief collaboration, combined with Murray’s extensive experience and Draper’s proven talent, suggests a partnership that could benefit both players and British tennis as a whole.
As Draper works through his rehabilitation and aims to rebuild his ranking, the tennis world will be watching closely to see whether Murray’s mentorship will become a defining factor in the young Brit’s comeback narrative.