Eastbourne 2026: Draper Wins First Match Since Barcelona Injury, Murray Watches On
Jack Draper marked his comeback with a 6-4, 7-6(5) victory over Giron at Eastbourne. The Brit, who dropped to 160 in the rankings, will meet fellow Brit Jack Pinnington Jones in the last 16.
Jack Draper wins Eastbourne return with Andy Murray watching from the stands...
Britain’s Jack Draper kicked off his comeback from injury with a win at the Eastbourne Open on Monday, with new coach Andy Murray watching courtside.
Murray was in the player box as Draper, a former world No. 4, beat Marcos Giron 6-4, 7-6(5) in round one under the Eastbourne sun.
Draper looked fit and sharp with no signs of injury trouble. The win sets up an all-British last-16 clash against Jack Pinnington Jones at the Wimbledon warm-up.
“It's been an incredibly difficult year for me with certain physical bits but to be here is really special,” Draper said.
“If you haven't competed in a while you never know what to expect. But I'm really happy with the way I came through in the end.
“I've given myself another opportunity in the second round to play better and keep on hopefully building momentum in my tennis and in my body.”
Draper brought in former Wimbledon champ Andy Murray to help for the grass season. It comes after a year hit by recurring arm and knee issues, plus a shoulder problem more recently.
Ranked 160th after the slide, the 24-year-old said he’s in a “very good place” going into his first match since retiring hurt in Barcelona on April 13 during the last-32 round.
The Murray & Draper partnership starts off with a win 🙌
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 22, 2026
Draper defeats Giron 6-4 7-6 in his first match since Barcelona!#LexusEastbourneOpen pic.twitter.com/1iIf136rMN
Former US Open semi-finalist Draper praised Murray's influence, saying: “I haven't called him 'Sir' yet - that's not going to happen!
“Andy, truthfully, is one of my biggest inspirations.
“As I came on to the tour, we spent some time together and I think we have a great relationship off the court but also what he brings to me in terms of the tennis as well.”
"I haven't called him Sir yet, that's not going to happen" 😂
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 22, 2026
Draper providing an insight into his partnership with Murray!#LexusEastbourneOpen pic.twitter.com/hBstw5FHqa
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