Sir Andy Murray has indicated that he could continue to play a coaching role for Jack Draper as the young Brit prepares for his anticipated return to the professional circuit at the beginning of 2027. In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Murray confirmed that, despite the uncertainties surrounding Draper’s ranking and tournament entry, he remains committed to offering guidance once the Englishman regains full fitness.
The backdrop to this discussion is Draper’s prolonged absence from the sport. In an Instagram video posted in September, the former British No.1 disclosed that he would not step back onto a tennis court until at least 2027. The decision follows a grueling 2026 season in which he missed all four Grand Slam events because of a persistent bone bruise affecting his dominant left arm. The injury has forced Draper to sit out of competition for more than a year, leaving him with a steep climb ahead to rebuild his ranking and secure entry into major tournaments, possibly via wild‑cards.
Murray’s involvement with Draper began in the summer when he briefly joined the younger player’s streaming sessions after Draper ended his partnership with longtime coach Jamie Delgado. Although the collaboration was short‑lived, Murray expressed a clear desire to resume working with Draper once the latter is fully recovered. "Yeah, there are still plans to help him," Murray told Sky Sports.
"I’m not exactly sure where that will take us because his ranking will have dropped, and I don’t know if he’ll get into events like the Australian Open without relying on wild‑cards. But we’ll see. I hope he gets back on court soon and starts preparing for the new season – it’s been an interesting year." Draper himself described his situation as a "difficult place" after a first‑round loss to Martin Landaluce at the Cincinnati Open in August.
He admitted that the mental fatigue accumulated over 15 months of battling a serious injury had taken a toll on his confidence and motivation. The combination of physical setbacks and the psychological strain of watching his career stall has left him questioning how to regain his previous form. Murray, who has transitioned into a semi‑retired role that includes coaching, family time, and occasional media work, acknowledged the challenges of mentoring a player who is frequently sidelined by injury.
"I’ve been doing a little bit of coaching, which I’ve enjoyed, but 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 as much as I would have liked," Murray said. He added that he still finds pleasure in watching tennis and supporting Draper whenever possible, but his primary focus at the moment is spending time with his children. The prospect of Draper returning in 2027 raises several logistical questions. His current world ranking has slipped dramatically due to the long layoff, meaning he may not automatically qualify for the main draws of ATP events.
Tournament directors often allocate wild‑cards to promising local players, and Draper’s reputation as a former world No.4 could work in his favor. However, the competition for those spots is fierce, and the decision will depend on his physical readiness and the quality of his performances in the lead‑up tournaments.
From a broader perspective, Murray’s willingness to stay involved in Draper’s development reflects a growing trend among former top players who transition into mentorship roles. Their experience on the biggest stages provides invaluable insight into handling pressure, managing schedules, and navigating the mental aspects of the sport. For Draper, having a multiple‑Grand‑Slam champion as a sounding board could accelerate his comeback, especially if he can stay injury‑free and regain his confidence on court.
Looking ahead, both men acknowledge that the road to 2027 will be a marathon, not a sprint. Draper must focus on a gradual rehabilitation program, rebuild his match fitness through lower‑tier events, and re‑establish his competitive rhythm.
Murray, meanwhile, will balance his coaching ambitions with his responsibilities as a father and his ongoing commitments to tennis commentary and charitable work. Their partnership, if it resumes, will likely be built around flexible, short‑term sessions rather than a full‑time coaching contract, allowing Draper to benefit from Murray’s expertise without compromising either party’s other priorities. In summary, while the exact timeline and format of Murray’s assistance remain undefined, the former champion’s statements make it clear that he is open to supporting Jack Draper’s return to the sport.
Whether through on‑court advice, strategic discussions, or simply moral support, Murray’s involvement could prove pivotal as Draper aims to climb back up the rankings and re‑enter the elite tier of men’s tennis in 2027. The tennis world will be watching closely to see how this potential mentorship unfolds and whether it can help Draper overcome the setbacks that have kept him away from the game for so long.