Jack Draper smiles again... and wants to be the surprise package of Wimbledon 2026

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The return of Jack Draper to the ATP Tour did not excite the majority of the public. The reasons were multiple: the Brit had already suffered setbacks in his return to competition earlier in the season, he had struggled to string together consecutive wins in the tournaments he participated in and many believed that his return on grass was more about the desire to play at home on a 'lucky' surface than the real needs of his body.

Nevertheless, the Englishman's return to competition has been a resounding success. Several factors attest to this: he has already reached the semifinals of ATP Eastbourne 2026, has not dropped a single set in his three matches (with straight-set victories over Marcos Giron, Jack Pinnington Jones and Gabriel Diallo), displaying a complete and fearless tennis style, making very explosive efforts (moving forward and approaching the net, giving his all in counterattack situations)... and, of course, there seems to be no trace of discomfort or physical issues in his body.

How far can Jack Draper go at Wimbledon? Is he the dark horse?

Draper needs these points like never before: his fall in the rankings has dropped him beyond the top-100. Not long ago, the Brit occupied a privileged place in the top-10, seemed destined to be part of the second line competing for major titles alongside Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner... but the excitement faded quickly as his body, his historical kryptonite, began to show signs of pain.

No slowing down 🔥

Draper reaches the final four in Eastbourne with a 6-1 6-4 victory over Diallo!#LexusEastbourneOpen pic.twitter.com/eCdUh4NjEL

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 25, 2026

First, it was the elbow, which led him to change his service mechanics, relying more on the strength of his supporting foot to alleviate the pain in that elbow. What happened? It was his knee that gave in due to the increased intensity in these stresses. Now, Draper is back to his original mechanics, a change recommended and approved by Andy Murray, a key presence for Jack's renewed confidence.

However, there is another name that has been talked about very little, also making a comeback in Jack's corner. It's James Trotman, his lifelong coach, who led him to the semifinals of the US Open 2024 and supervised his rapid rise to the elite. Trotman was one of the casualties in the Draper team revolution; after the experiment with Jamie Delgado went awry, we have seen him back on the sidelines, supporting his former pupil and forming a very interesting tandem with the Dunblane legend.

Now, the major challenge for Jack, regardless of how far he goes in Eastbourne, is to maintain total regularity and consistency... if his body allows it. Managing loads, dealing with minor pains and addressing significant complications when necessary, seeking a more efficient style and attempting to shorten points and effort with a revamped serve: the guidelines are clear, and grass is a great starting point to put them into practice. For now, the feeling is that Draper has returned stronger than ever... although it may be too early to label him as a dark horse or a name to watch in a Wimbledon 2026 where five-set matches could be a challenge too soon for him. He will need to be closely monitored.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Jack Draper vuelve a sonreír... y quiere ser el gran tapado de Wimbledon 2026