Jack Draper Teams Up with Jamie Delgado in Coaching Shake-Up

British tennis player Jack Draper has announced a significant change to his coaching team by hiring Jamie Delgado, the former coach of Andy Murray. This strategic move comes as Draper looks to enhance his performance on the ATP Tour. Although James Trotman, Draper’s long-time coach, will maintain a role within the team, Delgado will take on the position of lead coach and travel with Draper for the majority of his tournaments.

Delgado, a former British Davis Cup player, holds the record for the most consecutive appearances at Wimbledon with 23. He initially joined Murray’s coaching team in 2016, contributing significantly to Murray’s success during that period. Delgado worked alongside Ivan Lendl when Murray achieved remarkable milestones, including two Wimbledon titles and an Olympic gold medal. After leaving Murray’s team at the end of the 2021 season, Delgado has also coached prominent players such as Denis Shapovalov and Grigor Dimitrov, both of whom have praised his impact on their careers.

Draper’s decision to bring on Delgado comes as Trotman seeks to spend more time at home. Following a recent split with Dimitrov, Delgado’s availability made him an appealing choice for Draper. The new coaching arrangement is set to commence during the pre-season, as Draper works on recovering from a left arm injury that has limited his competitive play to just one match since Wimbledon.

Injury Challenges and Upcoming Return

Draper faced a setback after his second-round exit at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships, where he was diagnosed with bone bruising. An attempt to return for the US Open resulted in him withdrawing before his second-round match, ultimately leading to an early end to his season. He slipped to eighth in the ATP singles rankings during this period, missing the chance to qualify for the prestigious ATP Finals for the first time.

Looking ahead, Draper is preparing to make his comeback at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown Grand Final in London, scheduled for December 5-7, 2025. He has been granted a wild card for the event, which follows his successful win at the same tournament in 2023. Despite his recent injury struggles, Draper remains competitive, currently sitting eighth in the ATP singles rankings, even ahead of 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic.

This coaching transition marks a new chapter for Draper as he aims to regain his form and push towards future ATP tournaments. With Delgado’s experience and proven track record, both players and fans will be eager to see how this partnership unfolds in the coming season.