Sir Andy Murray has opened up about the possibility 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 his own busy schedule and family commitments, he remains willing to assist Draper once the Englishman is back in full health. The backdrop to this discussion is Draper's own announcement earlier this year that he would not be back on tour until at least 2027.
In a video posted to Instagram in September, Draper explained that he had missed all four Grand Slam events in 2026 because a lingering bone bruise in his dominant left arm continued to sap his performance and keep him off the court. The injury, which first emerged in early 2025, has forced him into an extended period of rehabilitation, and he has been candid about the mental and physical toll it has taken.
Murray, who briefly joined Draper's livestream in the summer after the player ended his partnership with former coach Jamie Delgado, reiterated his intention to stay involved. "Yeah, there's still plans to help him," Murray said, adding that the exact nature of that assistance remains uncertain. He noted that Draper's ranking will almost certainly have slipped dramatically during his time away, which could affect his ability to gain direct entry into major tournaments such as the Australian Open. "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," Murray explained. Murray also 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 unpredictable nature of professional sport and the resilience required to overcome setbacks.
Draper himself has described his situation as a "difficult place" following a first‑round loss to Spain's Martin Landaluce at the Cincinnati Open in August. He admitted that the cumulative mental fatigue from fifteen months of battling a serious injury had left him feeling drained and uncertain about his future prospects. The loss, coming after a long hiatus, highlighted how far the recovery process still had to go before he could compete at his previous level.
Despite these challenges, Murray reflected positively on the limited coaching moments he has shared with the former world No. 4. "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.
He emphasized that he still finds pleasure in watching tennis matches and staying connected to the sport, even as his primary focus right now is spending time with his children. The relationship between Murray and Draper is emblematic of a broader trend in British tennis, where former top players are increasingly stepping into mentorship roles to nurture the next generation. Murray's own journey—from a teenage prodigy to a three‑time Grand Slam champion and Olympic gold medalist—provides a wealth of experience that can be invaluable to a player like Draper, who once reached a career‑high ranking of world No. 4 before injuries derailed his momentum.
Looking ahead, the tennis calendar for 2027 promises a series of opportunities for Draper to re‑establish himself, assuming his recovery proceeds as planned. The Australian Open, which typically offers a limited number of wild‑card entries to promising players returning from injury, could serve as a potential gateway back onto the main stage. Additionally, the ATP’s protected ranking system may afford Draper some leeway in entering lower‑tier events to rebuild his ranking points. Murray's willingness to stay involved also underscores his broader commitment to British tennis development.
In recent years, he has taken on various ambassadorial duties, from promoting grassroots programs to supporting charitable initiatives aimed at increasing participation among youth. By extending a hand to Draper, he is reinforcing the notion that the sport's elite can give back in practical, hands‑on ways. While Murray acknowledges that his own coaching schedule will be limited—balancing family life, media commitments, and occasional exhibition matches—he remains hopeful that he can contribute meaningfully when the opportunity arises.
"I do still enjoy coming and watching [tennis] a little bit, but I'm happy doing what I'm doing with my kids just now," he said, indicating that any future coaching involvement will have to fit within his broader personal priorities. In summary, Sir Andy Murray has signaled that he remains open to assisting Jack Draper as the latter works toward a comeback in 2027. The exact form of that assistance is still being defined, contingent on Draper's ranking, potential wild‑card entries, and the timing of his full physical recovery. Both men recognize the challenges ahead, but their shared determination and mutual respect suggest a collaborative effort that could see Draper back in the competitive mix sooner rather than later.
The tennis world will be watching closely as these developments unfold, hopeful that the partnership will yield positive results for British tennis on the global stage.