Sir Andy Murray has opened up about the possibility of continuing his coaching role with rising British star Jack Draper as the latter prepares for a return to the professional circuit in early 2027. In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Murray confirmed that he remains willing to lend his experience and guidance to Draper once the younger player regains full fitness after a protracted injury spell.
The context for this discussion dates back to September, when Draper posted an Instagram video explaining that his comeback would not happen before 2027 at the earliest. The Englishman had missed all four Grand Slam tournaments in 2026 due to a persistent bone bruise in his dominant left arm, a condition that kept him off the court for an extended period and forced him to withdraw from several high‑profile events. The video, which quickly garnered attention from tennis fans, highlighted the uncertainty surrounding his ranking and the logistical challenges he would face when attempting to re‑enter the tour. Murray, who briefly joined Draper’s streaming sessions during the summer after the latter ended his partnership with former coach Jamie Delgado, reiterated his intention to stay involved.
"Yeah, there are still plans to help him," Murray told Sky Sports. He admitted, however, that the exact nature of that assistance remains uncertain, largely because Draper’s ranking is expected to have slipped considerably during his hiatus. "I don’t know where that is. I’m not entirely sure because his ranking will have dropped," Murray said.
He speculated that Draper might need to rely on wild‑cards or other entry mechanisms to compete in events such as the Australian Open, adding, "I don’t know if he would get into Australia and potentially relying on wild cards and things like that, so we’ll see." Despite the unknowns, Murray expressed optimism that Draper would soon be back on the training courts, preparing for the next season. "Hopefully he’ll be back on the court training again soon and getting ready for the new season – it has been an interesting year," he added, acknowledging the roller‑coaster nature of the past twelve months for both players. Draper himself has been candid about the mental and emotional toll that his injury layoff has taken.
After a first‑round loss to Spain’s Martin Landaluce at the Cincinnati Open in August, he described himself as being in a "difficult place". The defeat, coupled with the lingering physical discomfort, left him battling mental fatigue that had accumulated over 15 months of rehabilitation and intermittent attempts to return to competition.
Murray, reflecting on his brief stint as a coach, noted that while he has enjoyed the experience, his involvement has been limited by Draper’s ongoing health issues. "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," he said. Nevertheless, Murray emphasized that he still finds pleasure in watching tennis and staying connected to the sport, even if his primary focus at the moment is spending time with his children. The broader picture of Draper’s situation underscores the challenges faced by young athletes who suffer serious injuries early in their careers.
A bone bruise, while not as dramatic as a fracture, can cause chronic pain, reduced mobility, and a heightened risk of further damage if not managed carefully. For a player whose game relies heavily on a powerful left‑handed forehand, the injury has forced Draper to adjust his training regimen, work with physiotherapists, and adopt a more cautious approach to competition.
Looking ahead, the tennis community will be watching closely to see how Draper navigates the qualification process for major tournaments. Wild‑cards are often granted to promising players returning from injury, but they are limited in number and subject to the discretion of tournament organizers.
If Draper’s ranking falls outside the automatic entry threshold, he may need to compete in qualifying rounds or seek entry through protected rankings, a system that allows players who have been out for a minimum of six months to use their previous ranking for a set number of tournaments. Murray’s potential involvement could be a valuable asset in this scenario. His own experience of battling injuries—including a lengthy recovery from a hip operation that forced him to retire from professional play—provides him with unique insight into the physical and psychological hurdles that Draper must overcome.
Moreover, Murray’s status as a former world No. 1 and multiple Grand Slam champion brings credibility and strategic knowledge that could help Draper refine his game plan, manage match pressure, and rebuild confidence on court. In summary, while the exact details of Murray’s future coaching role remain fluid, the commitment to assist Draper is clear. Both men acknowledge the obstacles ahead, from ranking drops to the need for wild‑cards, but they share a hopeful outlook that the Englishman will soon be back training and competing.
As the 2027 season approaches, fans can anticipate updates on Draper’s progress, possible collaborations with Murray, and the broader narrative of a talented player striving to reclaim his place on the ATP Tour after a challenging period of injury and recovery. For those interested in following the developments, live streams of tennis matches are available on platforms such as NOW and the Sky Sports app, and the final day of the Laver Cup will be broadcast live from The O2 in London on Sky Sports this Sunday.