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Jack Draper is set to return to action for the first time in two months as he heads to the south coast to compete in the Lexus Eastbourne Open – and he feels he has ‘earned the right’ to be back out there.
The 24-year-old has been sidelined with a knee injury that ruled him out of the majority of the clay court swing – with his last appearance on the ATP tour coming in Barcelona in April.
Being forced to miss Queen’s last week as a precaution, giving extra time on his return, the British number two is now ready to compete again and will embark for Eastbourne this week, four years since he last stepped out on court at the ATP 250 event.
“I feel good. I’m very excited to be back at a tournament again, especially Eastbourne,” Draper told the LTA. “I haven’t played here in four years now, so I’m really happy to be back.
“I think it was the week I broke top-100 (in 2022). I remember playing (Jenson) Brooksby in the first round and I had a really good win against (Diego) Schwartzman. I ended up losing to (Maxime) Cressey, but I really loved the atmosphere. Seaside town – it’s a great tournament.”
It has been a challenging 12 months for Draper since competing at Wimbledon in 2025.
First forced off with injury in the second round match at the US Open last year, he returned for the Davis Cup qualifiers in February before reaching the quarter-finals at Indian Wells.
But, as momentum was building for the former British number one, he suffered a knee injury in Barcelona that has kept him out until this point.
Now set to return to action on the ATP – a crucial week of preparation ahead of Wimbledon – Draper is ensuring he focuses on the enjoyment of his return and not putting much pressure on the expectations.
“I’ve been injured for a long time,” he added. “A lot of setbacks, a lot of struggle. Especially in this last year. But I’ve kept on going, kept working really hard and I’m just pumped to be back at a tournament to be honest.
“I’m going to give my all like I always do on a match court. To be here, to be feeling good in my body, to be ready and able to compete, let’s see what happens.”
However, the main draw at Eastbourne hasn’t been kind to the former US Open semi-finalist.
Draper will face American Brandon Nakashima, who reached the semi-final of Queen’s last week, in the first round and is in the bottom half of the draw alongside second seed and teenage sensation Joao Fonseca.
Ranked 113 in the world heading into the tournament, Draper is just focused on getting vital match time under his belt and enjoying being in front of a home crowd once again.
“This grass court season I just want to get out there and compete again. It’s been many weeks and months now doing the same thing, trying to get my body to cooperate, get back on the match court and I’ve earnt that right now.
“I’m here to compete, and I’m focused on winning the match and doing the best I can. But there’s nothing like competing in front of people. It’s a feeling you miss. It makes me complete when I’m doing that.”
