Jack Draper hails Andy Murray influence after 'ugly' win over Marcos Giron at Eastbourne Open - but will not call new coach 'sir'

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Former British No. 1 Jack Draper got the better of American Marcos Giron on Monday to kick off the Eastbourne Open with a 6-4 7-6(5) straight-sets win in the first round of the warm-up event to Wimbledon.

'One of my biggest inspirations' - Draper thanks Murray for joining coaching team

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Draper made an impressive start to sail into the second round at Giron's expense.

It was the Brit's first match since Andy Murray became part of his coaching team in the lead up to the third Grand Slam of the year.

Victory over Giron, a late replacement for Brandon Nakashima, marked Draper's 10th match of 2026, and his first since Barcelona in April, in an injury-hit year.

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And Draper was asked what it is like to have Murray as part of hs coaching staff following Monday's win.

"Yeah, I haven't called him sir yet. That's not going to happen," the 24-year-old said.

"Yeah, 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.

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"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 that's what I really, really need right now 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 and I suppose today was a performance a bit like what he used to do, winning ugly."

'I came through in the end'

And on the win over Giron, Draper said: "Incredibly excited to be back out here again.

"I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to play the grass because it's been an incredibly difficult year with certain physical bits, but to be here is special.

"If you haven't competed in a while, you never know what to expect.

"I thought the first set was a bit up and down and then started to play some good tennis until I lost my concentration, which can happen when you haven't played for a while.

"Against good players like Marcos, they take advantage of that, but really happy with the way I came through in the end and I have given myself another opportunity in the second round to play better and hopefully build some momentum in my mind and body."

Draper will face Jack Pinnington Jones in the next round of the Eastbourne Open later this week.

Injuries have seen Draper drop out of the top 100 and it means that Cam Norrie is the only British men's player seeded for Wimbledon, which starts later this month.

In the ladies' singles, Serena Williams has been granted a wildcard entry to Wimbledon.

The American has not played singles in nearly four years, and is without a win at a Grand Slam since 2019.

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