The halo effect from iconic new coach Andy Murry on Monday sent Jack Draper to a satisfying knee injury comeback win as the Briton advanced on the grass at Eastbourne.

The former national No. 1 who once touched fourth in the world, had not played since mid-April in Barcelona, defeated substitute opponent Marcos Giron 6-4, 7-6 (5). 

The American replaced compatriot Brandon Nakashima in the draw on the English south coast.

With Murray in his corner for the grass season, Draper’s confidence seemed to fly.

But he warned:”I haven’t called him ‘Sir’ yet – that’s not going to happen,” he said of his knighted new mentor.who retired two years ago this month.

“I’m really grateful to Andy that he’s chosen to help me and wants to help me. Today was a performance a bit like what he used to do – winning ugly.”

Due to an unfortunate series of arm, knee and shoulder problems, Draper’s match was only his 10th of this season.

“Andy, truthfully, is one of my biggest inspirations. When I was younger I remember him playing all the big events and being there to watch him,” Draper said.
“He believes in my game, he believes in me as a person. That’s what I really need right now coming back from the year I have had.”

Draper now plays compatriot Jack Pinnington Jones in the second round.

Main photo:- Jack Draper winning at Eastbourne – ©LTA

French hopes at Roland Garros took a battering on Saturday as national No. 1 Arthur Fils withdrew from the Sunday start of the Grand Slam with a hip injury.

The ATP No. 19 who won the Barcelona title a month ago but had to retire recently in Rome after only four games, said he is unsure of his actual health situation.

“In Rome I felt a little bit (of pain) around the hip. After an exam, everything were looking pretty fine, but still a lot of pain.

“I was not able to practice for the last two weeks.:

The French hope said that a Saturday training session showed him he would be unable to front up for the Sunday start.

“I will not be fit 100 per cent to play the tournament, and I will not take any risk like I did last year (back pain which kept him out for eight months).

“I don’t want to be stupid, you know.”

The 21-year-old with four ATP titles managed the third round here a year ago, then was able to play just two matches until his injury return in February.”It’s just pain bothering me. When I step on the court, it’s just here. It’s never going away.

“If this was the the last tournament of my life, I would have played. But I have 10, 15 more years,”

Fils said his current injury is not the same as his 2025 back problems.

“It’s this (lower back or hip) area that bothering me since couple of weeks, but

I can’t say it now, because I don’t even know myself.”

The nightmare injury scenario of Carlos Alcaraz took a grim turn on Tuesday, with the Spaniard withdrawing from Wimbledon.

The world No. 2 who last played a match more than a month ago in Barcelona, quit the grass court Grand Slam as well as the tune up event at Queen’s Club, London.

The Alcaraz wrist problem surfaced during a first round win in Barcelona and has kept the former No. 1 off court ever since while top-ranked rival Jannik Sinner soars to new records.

Alcaraz is already due to miss Roland Garros, starting on Sunday, a major which he won a year ago.”My recovery is going well and I’m feeling much better, but unfortunately I’m still not ready to compete, which is why I have to withdraw from the grass-court swing at Queen’s and Wimbledon,” Alcaraz posted on Instagram.

“They are two truly special tournaments for me and I will miss them a lot.

“We’ll keep working to come back as soon as possible.”

Main photo:- Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon 2025 – by Roger Parker ISF Ltd