Andy Murray joins Jack Draper's coaching team for grass-court season
Synopsis
Tennis's most storied Brit is back in the player's box. Andy Murray's arrival in Jack Draper's corner marks a symbolic passing of the torch — Draper, once an injury-plagued prospect, now has access to the experience of a man who rebuilt himself multiple times. The grass season, where both have thrived, becomes a crucible for whether mentorship can revive momentum.
Key Takeaways
Andy Murray , three-time Grand Slam champion, joins Jack Draper's coaching team for the grass-court season.
Draper parted ways with Jamie Delgado after six months of collaboration.
Murray's appointment marks his return to coaching after departing from Novak Djokovic's team last year.
Draper is recovering from a knee tendon injury sustained in Barcelona and will miss Hamburg and Roland Garros .
2 is targeting a comeback at Stuttgart , Queen's Club , and Wimbledon during the grass swing.
Jack Draper has confirmed that three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray will join his coaching setup for the grass-court swing, marking a high-profile partnership ahead of Wimbledon. The announcement follows Draper's split with Jamie Delgado, who had guided the British left-hander since October 2025.
Murray's Return to Coaching
The move reunites Draper with a figure he grew up admiring. Murray, who became the first British man to reach World No. 1 in the rankings era, will now operate from the player's box after stepping away from his brief coaching stint with Novak Djokovic, which concluded last year. The 38-year-old had spent six months alongside the Serbian champion before departing from coaching duties.
Draper's Statement and Gratitude
Draper expressed appreciation for Delgado's contributions, stating: "I am very grateful for everything Jamie Delgado has done for me over these past six months. He is a world-class coach and a great man. In the interim, I will continue to be supported by the excellent team at the LTA, with the addition of Andy Murray, who will be supporting me throughout the grass court season."
Draper's Injury Struggles and Comeback Plan
The partnership arrives during a challenging phase for Draper. The 24-year-old withdrew from the remainder of the clay-court campaign due to a knee tendon injury sustained in Barcelona, forcing him to miss both Hamburg and Roland Garros. His season has been marked by recurring fitness setbacks, including a bruised humerus bone in his serving arm that caused a lengthy layoff earlier in the year.
Despite these obstacles, Draper delivered a standout performance at Indian Wells, where he defeated Novak Djokovic in the fourth round. However, inconsistent availability has seen his ranking slide, with the British No. 2 expected to fall outside the top 75 following the Italian Open. His career-high ranking of No. 4, achieved after reaching the US Open semi-finals in 2024, now feels distant.
Grass-Court Targets and Path Forward
Draper is targeting a comeback during the grass-court swing, with Stuttgart — where he claimed his maiden ATP title in 2024 — remaining a possible return event before Queen's Club and Wimbledon. Murray's arrival offers both experience and familiarity as the Briton looks to rebuild momentum during the most critical stretch of the British tennis calendar.
Point of View
Who spent years battling injuries himself, understands the mental toll of comebacks better than most. The real question is whether coaching can arrest Draper's slide down the rankings, or whether this is a symbolic gesture masking deeper structural problems in his fitness management.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jack Draper part ways with Jamie Delgado?
Draper ended his association with Delgado after six months of working together. The move was announced to make way for Andy Murray's arrival as coaching support for the grass-court season, though Draper publicly thanked Delgado for his contributions and described him as a world-class coach.
Is Andy Murray returning to full-time coaching?
No. Murray will support Draper specifically throughout the grass-court season, not as a full-time coaching role. This follows his previous brief stint with Novak Djokovic, which lasted six months and ended last year.
Why is Jack Draper missing the clay-court season?
Draper withdrew from the remainder of the clay-court campaign due to a knee tendon injury he sustained in Barcelona. He will miss both Hamburg and Roland Garros as he focuses on recovery ahead of the grass season.
What are Jack Draper's grass-court targets?
Draper is targeting a comeback during the grass swing, with Stuttgart — where he won his maiden ATP title in 2024 — as a possible return event before Queen's Club and Wimbledon. The grass season is crucial for his ranking recovery and momentum rebuilding.
How has Jack Draper's ranking been affected by injuries?
Draper's ranking has slid significantly due to recurring fitness setbacks. After reaching a career-high of No. 4 following his US Open semi-final run in 2024, he is now expected to fall outside the top 75 following the Italian Open, earning him the British No. 2 ranking.
