Jack Draper expressed feelings of decline during his recent injury struggles but remains optimistic about his future. The 24-year-old is set to make his competitive return at Eastbourne on Monday, having faced significant challenges with injuries to his arm, knee, and shoulder over the past year.

Draper's issues began at Wimbledon last year, where he was enjoying the best run of his career. In an 18-month span, he achieved remarkable milestones, including:

• Reaching a Grand Slam semi-final
• Climbing to a career-high of fourth in the world rankings
• Winning his first ATP 1000 title at Indian Wells

However, bone bruising in his serving arm cut his 2025 season short, limiting him to just 11 matches in the past year. Additionally, a knee injury sustained in Barcelona in April sidelined him for two months.

Draper will face Brandon Nakashima, the world number 32 and recent Queen's semi-finalist, in his first match back. He remarked on the difficulties of the sport, stating, "Tennis is a tough sport because I was top 10 in the world, doing great things, and you're losing your ranking every week."

Despite the setbacks, Draper emphasizes that he does not see himself as merely an injured athlete, asserting, "I don't picture my career being all injuries."

With Wimbledon on the horizon, starting on 29 June, Draper aims to regain confidence and match practice during this week. He is supported by Andy Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion, who hopes to work with Draper long-term. Draper noted, "I've lost a lot of confidence in my body... having someone who believes in you is a big positive." This partnership is expected to provide the energy and support he needs as he embarks on his comeback.