Jack Draper is back to winning ways, having marked his return to action after two months out with an impressive victory at Eastbourne.
Originally due to play Brandon Nakashima, the Brit was gifted a huge slice of good fortune when a late withdrawal saw the American replaced with his compatriot Marcos Giron.
Whilst still an admirable threat, he remains a far less accomplished player, particularly on grass.
Jack Draper handily dismantled the 32-year-old in straight sets, rounding off a rock-solid return to competitive action with Andy Murray watching on.
He spoke whilst still on court, discussing just how good it felt to be back on court after so long out.
TITLE
Chatting to the interviewer, he began by sharing his overriding emotions: “Incredible excitement to be back out here again.
“You know, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to play the grass this year. It’s been an incredibly difficult year for me with certain physical bits, but to be here is a really special.
“I haven’t been here for four years now, so to play in front of you guys on home turf, you know, making a comeback is a big deal for me, so thank you.”
He then rated his performance, describing the first set as ‘a bit up and down’ but ultimately ending ‘happy’ with how he saw out the win.
How would you rate Jack Draper’s first performance since returning from injury?
Then, asked how it felt to have ‘Sir Andy Murray’ in his box, he joked: “Yeah, I haven’t called him, sir yet. That’s not gonna happen.”
Draper then added: “Yeah, no, Andy, truthfully is one of my biggest inspirations. When I was younger, I remember him playing all the big events and being there to watch him, and as I came onto the tour we spent some time together, and I think we have a great relationship off the court, but also what he brings to me in terms of the tennis as well.
“He believes in my game. He believes in me as a person and I think that’s what I really really need right now as well, coming back from the year I’ve had, so I’m very grateful to Andy that he’s chosen to help me and wants to help me and I suppose today was a performance a bit like what he used to do: winning ugly.”
Draper had admitted it was weird having Murray as his coach, but it clearly is not having too big of an impact as their partnership got off to a winning start today.
Jack Draper’s potential road to the Eastbourne Open title
When Draper entered the draw in Eastbourne, he would not have had grand aspirations of winning the title.
After all, having not played since April, this grass-court event was all about getting crucial minutes on the court ahead of Wimbledon next week.
However, with Nakashima’s withdrawal and his subsequent win over Giron, opportunity knocks despite the draw still boasting some stellar names like Taylor Fritz and Joao Fonseca.
Draper will now face fellow Brit Jack Pinnington-Jones, and if he should win that, he will then face the winner of Gabriel Diallo and Tomás Martín Etcheverry.
How excited are you for Andy Murray to join Jack Draper’s team?
What a signing!
Fonseca represents the top seed in his half of the draw, and Fritz, if he can battle through fitness concerns, will be expected to be waiting in the final.
