Jack Draper and Andy Murray were once on the opposite side of the net after once playing against each other in 2023.
Draper has dealt with injuries over the past year, having struggled with bone bruising in his left arm, before suffering an injury in his right knee upon return.
As he attempts a comeback at the Eastbourne Open, Draper will be joined by new coach Andy Murray, who has been helping him prepare for Wimbledon.
Murray will be supporting Draper in Eastbourne, but he was once his compatriot’s opponent when they faced each other at Indian Wells three years ago.
Jack Draper called Andy Murray a ‘really special person’ after beating him at Indian Wells
Draper faced Murray for the first time in the third round of Indian Wells, having just beaten another one of his compatriots in Dan Evans, who is retiring from tennis at Wimbledon this year, despite not receiving a main draw wildcard.
After beating Murray 7-6(6), 6-2, Draper was full of praise for the three-time Grand Slam champion in his on-court interview following the match.
How excited are you for Andy Murray to join Jack Draper’s team?
What a signing!
“I’ve looked up to Andy since I was so young,” said Draper. “I watched him win Wimbledon for the first time in 2013 and then I’ve had the opportunity to get to know him and practice with him often since 2019.
“He’s a really special person, a great champion, great human being and I’m privileged to play against him on this court.”
Draper and Murray never faced each other again, with the latter retiring from tennis at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
What happened in Andy Murray’s only appearance at the Eastbourne Open?
Grass was arguably Murray’s best surface, having won eight titles on it, including two Wimbledon titles.
However, Murray actually only ever made one appearance at the Eastbourne Open in 2018, having received a wildcard for the tournament in just his second tournament back after undergoing his first hip surgery.
Where will Jack Draper be ranked by the end of 2026?
Murray would face a fellow three-time Grand Slam champion in Stan Wawrinka in his first round match, beating him 6-1, 6-3.
However, his run came to an end against his compatriot Kyle Edmund, who beat Murray 6-4, 6-4.
Murray will be hoping Draper has a better run than he did in 2018, as the current world number 113 faces Brandon Nakashima in the first round.
