Britain’s Jack Draper will make his long-awaited return from injury at Eastbourne next week – and he will be watched by new coach Andy Murray.
The 24-year-old has not played competitively since early April and needs match practice before Wimbledon starts on 29 June.
After withdrawing from Queen’s last week, Draper now feels ready to play at Eastbourne and prove his fitness before the Championships begin.
Eastbourne will be Draper’s first tournament under the guidance of Murray, who was brought into the 2024 US Open semi-finalist’s team last month.
Former world number one Murray, speaking exclusively to BBC Sport this week, says he hopes to work with Draper on a long-term basis.
Draper had been with Murray’s former coach Jamie Delgado before making a surprise announcement that the three-time Grand Slam singles champion would be “supporting” him over the grass-court season.
Asked if the partnership is a long-term project, 39-year-old Murray said: “I hope so.
“I think the number one priority for Jack and the team just now is getting him back on the match court, competing and gaining trust in his body again.”
Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu has opted not to play in Eastbourne, which starts on Monday.
The British women’s number one reached the Queen’s final last week, but the 23-year-old will continue her Wimbledon preparations on the practice courts next week.
Home players Arthur Fery, Jacob Fearnley, Jack Pinnington Jones, Francesca Jones, Alicia Dudeney and Hannah Klugman have been given wildcards for the combined ATP-WTA event.
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