Jack Draper Enlists Jamie Delgado as New Head Coach
In a significant shift within his coaching team, British tennis star Jack Draper has enlisted Jamie Delgado—previously a coach for Andy Murray—as his new head coach. This change marks a pivotal moment for Draper, who has worked closely with James Trotman, his long-time coach, who will still play a supporting role but will not travel extensively with Draper.
Delgado’s Coaching Background
Delgado, a former player for the British Davis Cup team, notably holds the record for the most consecutive appearances at Wimbledon, totaling 23. He collaborated with Murray from 2016 until the conclusion of the 2021 season, during which time Murray reached peak success. After his tenure with Murray, Delgado went on to coach Canadian player Denis Shapovalov and Bulgarian star Grigor Dimitrov, with both athletes attesting to Delgado’s positive influence.
Draper’s Injury and Career Challenges
Having recently ended a coaching relationship with Dimitrov, Delgado’s transition to working with Draper comes at a time when Draper seeks to rejuvenate his career. The 23-year-old has been dealing with a nagging issue in his left arm that has limited his activity on the court, allowing him to participate in just one match since Wimbledon. Following his second-round exit from the prestigious tournament, he was diagnosed with bone bruising, which led to an early withdrawal from the US Open.
Looking Ahead
As a result of this injury and subsequent time away from the game, Draper has fallen to eighth place in the ATP rankings, missing out on potential appearances in significant events such as the ATP Finals. Nonetheless, Draper aims to make his comeback at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown Grand Final in London scheduled for December, where he hopes to regain his competitive edge after rehabilitating his injury.
“With Delgado’s experience by my side, I am poised to embark on a new chapter in my tennis career as we begin our collaboration during the pre-season preparations.”
