Andy Murray is heading back into coaching, this time with one of Britain’s brightest tennis hopes. The former world No. 1 will join Jack Draper’s team for the upcoming grass-court season, marking Murray’s first coaching role since ending his short-lived but high-profile stint with Novak Djokovic earlier this year.
The move comes at an important point in Draper’s career. The 24-year-old has struggled through an injury-hit year involving a knee problem and a bone bruise in his serving arm, but he is targeting a return at the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club in June, a tournament Murray famously won five times during his career.
Draper confirmed the development while also thanking outgoing coach Jamie Delgado, who had worked with him since last October.
“I am very grateful for everything Jamie Delgado has done for me over these past six months…He is a world-class coach and a great man,” Draper said in a statement.
The British star then confirmed Murray’s addition to the setup for the grass swing.
“In the interim, I will continue to be supported by the excellent team at the LTA, with the addition of Andy Murray, who will be supporting me throughout the grass court season.”
Despite possessing a massive serve and natural feel at the net, the British left-hander has never gone beyond the second round at Wimbledon. Murray, meanwhile, remains arguably Britain’s greatest modern grass-court player and someone uniquely aware of the pressure that comes with carrying home expectations at the All England Club.
The partnership also feels like the kind of coaching project Murray hinted he wanted after stepping away from Djokovic’s camp. The former Wimbledon champion had earlier admitted that helping build a younger player’s career, similar to how Juan Carlos Ferrero guided Carlos Alcaraz, appealed far more to him long-term.
And Draper, when fit, remains one of the ATP Tour’s most exciting talents. The Brit was ranked as high as world No. 4 last June and has already shown his ceiling by winning the BNP Paribas Open and reaching the US Open semi-finals before injuries derailed his momentum.
WHEN WILL ANDY MURRAY JOIN DRAPER’S TEAM?
Murray is expected to officially join Draper’s coaching setup during the upcoming grass-court season, starting with the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club in June.
The tournament begins on June 15 and will likely act as Draper’s comeback event after nearly two months out because of injury.
It also represents an ideal environment for Murray to begin working closely with the younger Brit given his extraordinary record at Queen’s and deep understanding of grass-court tennis.
The timing makes plenty of sense for Draper too.
The British No. 1 has repeatedly spoken about needing to improve on grass after struggling at Wimbledon in recent years. Murray’s experience handling both the tactical demands of the surface and the emotional pressure of being Britain’s biggest hope could become one of the most valuable parts of the partnership.
For Murray himself, the move also feels far more aligned with the type of coaching journey he now wants.
After initially planning a lengthy break following retirement in August 2024, Murray quickly returned to the sport after Djokovic personally approached him with a coaching offer later that year.
But after experiencing life inside one of tennis’ most demanding coaching environments, Murray admitted he wanted the “right project” before committing again.
Draper appears to be exactly that.
WHY DID MURRAY’S DJOKOVIC STINT END?
Murray’s six-month coaching partnership with Djokovic was one of the most fascinating storylines in tennis after two former rivals suddenly joined forces.
And while the collaboration did produce moments of success, it also exposed how demanding full-time coaching can be, especially at the very top level of the sport.
Murray’s tactical input was widely praised during the stint. Djokovic reached the semi-finals of the 2025 Australian Open and famously defeated Alcaraz during the tournament, with Murray playing a major role in match preparation and strategic planning.
The former world No. 1 reportedly spent long nights studying footage, analysing opponents and constantly sending tactical edits to Djokovic during tournaments.
But Murray later admitted that certain technical coaching aspects were more difficult for him.
Unlike tactical discussions and game-reading, providing deep mechanical adjustments to a player’s technique proved less natural, something Djokovic often looked for during matches and training blocks.
Results also never fully matched expectations.
The partnership ended without a title, and Djokovic’s hamstring injury during the Australian Open further complicated the momentum they had built early in the season.
Murray later described the experience as a valuable learning process but also acknowledged how exhausting the constant travelling and demands of coaching became after years of life on tour as a player.
The split eventually happened by mutual consent in May 2025.
Now though, Murray returns to coaching carrying far more clarity about the kind of role he wants to play in tennis after retirement — and helping guide a talented British player through the most important stretch of his career may prove far more fulfilling than trying to survive the chaos of coaching Novak Djokovic full-time.
– Ends
