Jack Draper has had a tortuous road to this year’s Wimbledon Championships.
For the best part of seven months Draper has been out of action with a litany of injuries.
Bone bruising in his arm meant he had to withdraw from the US Open last year, a tournament where he had previously reached the semi-finals. He was then forced to take another break due to knee and shoulder issues.
From breaching the world top 10, his injury enforced absence has seen him plummet to 160th in the rankings.
That sees him go into Wimbledon this year unseeded and straight into a blockbuster clash with America’s Taylor Fritz in his first match at the All England Club on Tuesday.
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Jack Draper credited his new coach Andy Murray after he won ‘ugly’ against Marcos Giron on his comeback at Eastbourne
“It’s very difficult,” Draper said. “When I was younger, I had quite a few setbacks. Then I came through that and had a couple years of where I wasn’t. I made some incredible progress.
“Looking back, coming here last year as four in the world, I was feeling incredible and looking forward to everything that was to come. I felt like I was gradually building up and up and up, confidence in my tennis, in my body, in my mind.
“Then you have something that stops you in your tracks when you’re not expecting it. It’s really difficult to accept that.”
But he added: “I think my tennis hasn’t gone anywhere because I’ve really been dedicated every day to try and do everything possible so that, when I am back on court, like now, I’m in a good place.
“I still believe, even now after all this time, I’m still competing at an incredibly high level. I’m looking forward to working my way up again.”
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Jack Draper opens up about his recent struggles with injury and hails the impact of new coach Andy Murray
He will be buoyed by having tennis legend Andy Murray alongside him as his coach.
“He’s one of my biggest inspirations,” Draper said. “I think him just being here, being in the presence of myself, not just now, but the last few weeks, has really helped my confidence. It’s not been an easy time at all. Him being around to sort of help guide me through this period, get me back to being on court, get me back to competing, has been very, very special. I think it’s just the start.
“Andy’s obviously dealt with an incredible amount throughout his career. I have huge admiration for what he’s done. I think it will be a great partnership.”
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Tim Henman and Laura Robson discuss Andy Murray joining Jack Draper’s coaching team, believing the British number two will gain so much, but wonder how it will play out with the extra spotlight
Draper has faith that he can beat sixth seed Fritz and kickstart a run at the tournament.
“I think that Taylor is an amazing competitor,” he said. “We’ve played I think five or six times. Every time it’s been a real battle. It’s been about who can play better in the key moments.
“I’d say also when we’ve played, we brought out the best in each other, as well. That’s good. There’s obviously not many tougher draws you can get.
“It’s just important that I focus on my preparation. I believe that I can obviously win the match. But I need to play incredible tennis and need to compete really hard.”
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