Jack Draper has recorded back-to-back wins on the Tour for the first time since March after beating compatriot Jack Pinnington Jones in the second round of the Eastbourne Open.
Draper, who until this week had been sidelined from action for two months due to a right knee tendon injury, edged out Pinnington Jones 7-5, 6-4. The Brit was given a stern test during the match, especially towards the end of the first set, when he was broken while serving at 5-4. Despite the blip, Draper regained control of the match by winning four consecutive games and didn’t face a break point throughout the second set.
Despite being the more high-profile of the two, Draper has hailed the progress of Pinnington Jones, who reached the final of a Challenger event earlier this year in Egypt and is currently ranked 145th in the world.
“Jack’s a great friend, so it’s tough playing against a good friend,” Draper said during his on-court interview.
“He’s still young. He came out of college recently and he’s been building his way up the rankings. He’s nearly in the top 100.
“He is gonna be someone who, I believe, is gonna be a top top player, and I think he kind of showed that today.”
As for the former world No.4, he is relishing his return to the sport following a turbulent past year with injury setbacks. Prior to his knee issue, he was also suffering from bone bruisibng in his serving arm that resulted in him ending his 2025 season early.
“My confidence levels were below the floor a couple of weeks ago,” Draper admits.
“I haven’t played for a long time. I wasn’t match fit. I didn’t play Queens because I just wasn’t ready, so to come here and to be on court and to be competing and playing at a high level very quickly. I’m very grateful.”
Eastbourne is only the sixth tournament Draper has played since Wimbledon last year. In two of those events, the US Open and Barcelona, he was forced to withdraw or retire due to injury.
“I was on a great trajectory last year, being at a career high ranking of four,” he reflected.
“My body stopped me in my tracks, so I wasn’t able to play, and the last year has been really difficult.
“The mental side is really important, but right now, it’s just about coming out each day, being consistent with my practice, trying to get as many matches to get my confidence back to where I need to be, and hopefully rising up their rankings once again.”
In the next round, Draper will play Canada’s Gabriel Diallo.
