Jack Draper’s decision to hire Andy Murray as his coach earlier this year was very well received.
After all, it saw the legendary past of British tennis partner with the bright future, with the former hoping to bestow all his wisdom upon this young talent.
The 24-year-old is already a well-established star on the ATP Tour, but injuries in recent years have curtailed his upward trajectory.
Draper now sits outside the world’s top 100, through no fault of his own, as he battles with his own physical issues more than anything else.
How excited are you for Andy Murray to join Jack Draper’s team?
What a signing!
Andy Murray has had limited time and even less opportunity to actually oversee this player’s development.
And yet, Jack Draper insists he has already made his mark.
Jack Draper reviews his time with Andy Murray as his coach so far
Chatting with Sky Sports ahead of his return to action in Washington, attention was still dominated by Draper’s partnership with Murray.
Discussing their time together so far and what is to come, the Brit admitted: “He’s been an incredible part to my team. He’s brought a real calmness and he’s got great energy about him as well.
“I think people are seeing it now more after he’s retired, but he’s incredibly playful, so we always have a lot of fun, but he’s great.
Who is to blame for Jack Draper’s injury issues?
“He really believes in me and my tennis, and believes that I can go a long, long way in the sport. To have one of the biggest idols in the sport. Something like that is something to really be proud of and gives you confidence.
“So, yeah, we’re on a journey together, and I think there’s so many improvements in my game and so much to come.”
Jack Draper’s nightmare draw at the Washington Open
Draper’s injury nightmare has naturally seen him tumble down the rankings, and so any event he now enters will see him handed far tougher draws.
That being said, it hardly accounts for the gauntlet he has been handed in Washington, which will mark his first tournament back since Eastbourne.
The Brit will start with a match against Alex Michelsen, after which he will then likely then face Learner Tien.
The quarter-finals are where things really ramp up though, as Draper could actually get to realise what should have been the first-round match at Wimbledon before he withdrew, against Taylor Fritz.
One of Alex de Minaur or Jakub Mensik is then likely expected to be waiting in the semi-finals, with stars like Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe and Arthur Fils all on the other half of the draw and bidding to reach the final.
