Jack Draper has again enlisted the support of Andy Murray as he prepares to return to competitive tennis at the Mubadala DC Open next week. The pairing, which began during Draper’s grass-court preparations this summer, has been pictured training together in Washington after Draper was awarded a wild card into the event.
Comeback after recurring injuries
The 24-year-old, who reached the US Open semi-final in 2024, has struggled for continuity over the last year because of a string of physical problems. His recent history has seen a sequence of interruptions:
- Left arm bone bruising forced him to withdraw from Wimbledon despite earlier progress in the grass season.
- He has made only a small number of tournament appearances since stepping away from the ATP Tour around 12 months ago because of the initial arm issue.
- Subsequent brief returns have been followed by knee and shoulder trouble before his latest absence was again attributed to the left arm.
The decision to accept the wild card for Washington offers Draper a chance to rebuild match fitness in a field that often acts as a staging post to the North American hard-court swing.
Murray’s role
Andy Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion, has been visible supporting Draper’s training this week. Video posted to social media shows the two working together courtside during practice sessions at the tournament venue.
Reunited 🤝 @jackdraper0 & @andy_murray are working together again in DC! #MubadalaDCOpen pic.twitter.com/7kcOTuTmX2 — Mubadala DC Open (@mubadaladcopen)
Earlier this season the pair began a short-term coaching relationship for the grass courts. Draper had expressed a desire to continue the partnership before the Wimbledon withdrawal, and Murray’s presence in Washington suggests the collaboration will continue, at least for Draper’s immediate return.
What this means locally and for British tennis
For British supporters, Draper represents one of the promising younger players in men’s tennis, and his fitness issues have been followed closely. Reestablishing form at the DC Open could be an important step towards consistent appearances at the major events later this season.
Practical points for followers:
- Expect Draper to use Washington to test his match fitness and the effectiveness of adjustments made in training.
- Any positive results will be watched for indications he can sustain a run of events without recurrence of the arm problem.
Timeline of recent activity
| When | Event |
|---|---|
| 2024 | US Open semi-final appearance |
| Around 12 months ago | Stepped away from ATP Tour with initial arm issue |
| Earlier 2026 | Brief return in February; followed by knee and shoulder problems |
| June/July 2026 | Played at Eastbourne; withdrew from Wimbledon with recurring left arm bruising |
| July 2026 | Accepted wild card into Mubadala DC Open; pictured training with Andy Murray |
The Mubadala DC Open begins on Monday, and Draper’s inclusion through a wild card gives him a route back into full competition without the need to progress through qualifying. How he responds to match intensity after his recent setbacks will determine whether this marks the start of a sustained return or another brief appearance in a stop-start season.
Coverage of Draper’s progress at the DC Open and reaction from the British tennis community will follow as the tournament progresses.
