Jack Draper’s return to tennis is imminent and many fans and pundits expect him to impress in 2026.
Draper has been tipped for success next season after winning Indian Wells and reaching a career-high of world number four in 2025.
The British number one struggled with an arm injury in the second half of the season, however, and has only played one singles match since crashing out of Wimbledon at the hands of Marin Cilic.
With all eyes on Draper ahead of his return to the sport, John Lloyd has shared what the British star has done in 2025 that has impressed him.
Jack Draper praised for ‘very shrewd’ move ahead of tennis return
Draper made a huge leap in his career in 2025, but that didn’t stop him from splitting with his coach ahead of the next season.
The British star swapped James Trotman for Andy Murray’s former coach Jamie Delgado, and Lloyd believes that is a very smart decision.
Speaking to the Inside-In Tennis podcast, Lloyd said: “I am very hopeful with Jack Draper for two reasons. He was very unlucky with injury but we can see what he was capable of.
“And secondly James Trotman who has been with Jack for a number of years, who is fabulous, is kind of taking a backwards step now and was only going to work with him a bit at home.
Rate Jack Draper’s 2025 season out of 10
“But he’s very shrewd picking up Jamie Delgado as his main coach now on the road, who is a very experienced coach. The physicality side has been a bit of a concern, but I think he has got stronger.
“He has been a bit unlucky in that way, but if he can remain free of the injuries, he could have a big year. I think there is something about him that is special, and I like the look of him big time for having a big year next year. I think he is the one I would pick.”
Draper returns to the sport at the UTS Grand Finals, a tournament he previously won back in 2023 in London.
Jack Draper’s confirmed 2026 tournaments
Draper has already confirmed three tournaments he will play in January as he looks to take the tennis world by storm again.
Draper will compete for Great Britain, alongside Emma Raducanu, Mimi Xu, Olivia Nicholls, and Billy Harris, at the United Cup in Perth on January 2.
The British star will return to singles action at the Adelaide International, a tournament in which he was previously a runner-up back in 2024.
Where will Jack Draper be ranked by the end of 2026?
Draper lost to Jiri Lehecka in the final of the Australian tournament, so he will be hoping to go one better in 2026.
Following those two tournaments, Draper will return to Grand Slam action at the Australian Open on January 12.
Draper’s best performance at the Grand Slam was his fourth round appearance in 2025, which saw him retire against Carlos Alcaraz.
