Jack Draper's revival continues with coach Andy Murray as he makes Eastbourne Open quarter-final - 'My confidence was below the floor'

Jack Draper said that he is rebuilding his confidence on court after continuing his comeback from injury with a straight-sets win over fellow Brit Jack Pinnington Jones at Eastbourne on Wednesday afternoon.

The Brit rose to No. 4 in the world rankings during a breakthrough 2025 season but has since fallen to No. 160 after lengthy battles with injury.

But Draper’s return for the grass-court season, for which he has enlisted Andy Murray as his coach, has got off to an encouraging start following Wednesday’s 7-5 6-4 victory.

It marked the first time since March that the left-hander has sealed back-to-back ATP Tour victories, after winning his first competitive match since April on Monday.

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Those results earned him a quarter-final clash with Canada’s Gabriel Diallo.   

”My confidence levels were below the floor a couple of weeks ago,” Draper said on court. ”I hadn’t played for a long time, wasn’t match fit. I didn’t play Queen’s because I just wasn’t ready, so to come here and be on court and to be competing and playing at a high level very quickly, I’m very grateful.”

Draper had to battle stiflingly hot conditions in Eastbourne but pushed past his 145th-ranked compatriot.

Encouraged by Murray on the sidelines, he composed himself after failing to serve out the first set at 5-4 to win back-to-back games and claim the opening set.

An early break got Draper on his way in the second set and it proved enough for the 2025 Indian Wells champion to progress.

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”I was on a great trajectory last year, being at a career high ranking of four,” Draper said.

”My body stopped me in my tracks, so I wasn’t able to play, and the last year has been really difficult. 

”The mental side is really important, but right now, it’s just about coming out each day, being consistent with my practice, trying to get as many matches to get my confidence back to where I need to be, and hopefully rising up the rankings once again.”

Andy Murray cheered Draper on from the sidelines

Image credit: Getty Images

The result brought Pinnington Jones’ run to an end, and Draper had words of support for his opponent afterwards.

”Jack’s a great friend, so it’s tough playing against a good friend,” Draper said.

”He’s still young. He came out of college recently and he’s been building his way up the rankings. He’s nearly in the top 100. 

”He is going to be someone who, I believe, is going to be a top, top player, and I think he kind of showed that today.”

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