Jack Draper beat lucky loser Marcos Giron 6-4 7-6 (7-5) in an impressive straight sets first round victory at the Eastbourne Open in his first match under new coach Andy Murray.
Draper has been hampered by injuries since the US Open last August, with a knee problem causing his latest stint on the sidelines since April.
The former world No 4 returned to grass in Eastbourne after playing just nine matches in the whole of 2026 a week before Wimbledon starts with British tennis great Murray as part of his coaching setup for the first time in the competition.
Draper sent Giron, a late replacement for Brandon Nakashima, who pulled out of the event after making it to the semifinals at Queen’s Club last week.
“Unbelievably excited to be back out here again,” Draper said during his on-court interview. “I wasn’t sure if I would be able to play on grass because it’s been an incredibly difficult year with certain physical things, but to be here is special.
“If you haven’t competed in a while, you never know what to expect.
“I thought the first set was a bit up and down and then started playing some good tennis until I lost my concentration, which can happen when you haven’t played for a while. Against good players like Marcos they take advantage of that, but really happy with the way I came through in the end and I’ve given myself another opportunity in the second round to play better and hopefully build some momentum in my mind and body.”
Draper was also asked what it was like to have Murray in his trainer’s box.
“I haven’t called him ‘Sir’ yet,” Draper joked. “It’s not going to happen. Andy is truly one of my biggest inspirations…”
“Today’s performance was a bit like what he used to do, win ugly!”
Draper will take up the fight with the Briton Jack Pinnington Jones in the second round on Wednesday.
Draper’s boost ahead of Wimbledon: ‘Murray believes in me and my tennis’
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Draper opens up about his recent struggles with injuries and hails the impact of new coach Murray
Speaking to Sky Sports on Sunday, Draper revealed coach Murray had helped him focus on the long-term picture amid his battle to regain fitness.
“He [Murray] has always supported me,” Draper said. “I’ve always had a good relationship with Andy. We spent some time together towards the back end of his career and he’s also been a great support to me ever since he’s retired, but it felt like a really good time to have Andy on my team. I always wanted that because he is one of my biggest inspirations.
“To have him there in my coaching staff, not only as a coach, but a mentor as someone who has been through it all, which is a special thing. But also the fact that he believes in me, believes in my tennis – especially in this moment now, which is to come back and rebuild myself. It gives me a big boost!”
‘I think I’ve always been pretty good’
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Tim Henman and Laura Robson discuss Murray joining Draper’s coaching staff
Murray gave glowing praise for Draper’s ability, hailing his tennis as “b****y good”.
“I thought to myself, ‘I was like No. 4 in the world.’ I think I’ve always been pretty good,” Draper joked. “Hearing that from Andy means on another level, so he’s a special, special person, not only as a person, but also his tennis knowledge. If he says that about you, then there’s nobody you can get more confidence from than him.
“Knowing someone who’s dealt with all the things you’ve been through, like injuries, or pressure moments, or how to deal with certain situations, he really brings so many different things to me, and he delivers it in such a calm way and in a way that’s very helpful. He’s very honest, but also very calm. He’s a very good influence on me.”
Draper, who has been injury-hit for 12 months, said: “I’m so happy to be back in a tournament. It’s been far too long. My body is doing well. It’s been a tough time rehabbing and not being able to get on the court, but to come back to a tournament like Eastbourne is fantastic so I’m really happy.
“I’ve always seen injuries as a one to two week thing, so when you have a big one you lose a lot of confidence in your body and doing what you’ve always been able to do.
“You can go from doing anything to really struggling to just move without pain or something, so you have to work through it. And luckily, I’ve had some really great people around to help guide me and tell me, ‘Jack, it’s going to work, you’re going to get out there,’ and it’s nice to be back.”
Osaka blows through at the Bad Homburg Open
Naomi Osaka advances to the Bad Homburg Round of 16
Naomi Osaka cruised past Magdalena Frech 6-4 6-1 in an interrupted straight sets win in the first round of the Bad Homburg Open.
The world No.16 jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first set but missed a set point, allowing Frech to mount a brief challenge and win four straight games to get back into the match before play was interrupted by rain on Sunday night.
Needing just one game after the resumption on Monday to seal the first set, Osaka produced a dazzling performance to win six of the next seven games in a 32-minute second set to send the Pole home and book her place in the next round.
“I’m definitely really happy. I haven’t played her in an official match before and this is my first official grass court match of the year,” Osaka said.
“I feel like I hit heavy compared to a lot of other girls so I hope that helps me pull out some wins on this surface.”