Jack Draper is through to the Eastbourne Open semi-finals after beating Canada's Gabriel Diallo 6-1 6-4 on Thursday, continuing a Wimbledon build-up that looked very uncertain just weeks ago. The 24-year-old had not won a match since retiring against Tomas Etcheverry in Barcelona in mid-April with a knee problem, and his world ranking dropped from No. 4 to 160 in the live rankings as a result. He is now competing at Eastbourne with Andy Murray, a two-time Wimbledon champion, as part of his coaching set-up for the first time in competition.
For anyone watching the grass-court season with a racket buyer's eye, Draper's comeback is genuinely interesting. When a top player falls off the radar through injury, interest in the gear they use tends to dip alongside their ranking. The moment they come back and look competitive again, curiosity rebounds fast.
What a return to form means for the Wilson market#
Draper plays Wilson, and his return to form on grass comes at the best possible time: the week before Wimbledon, when attention on the tour is at its annual peak. Players at his level tend to game-match their rackets for grass specifically, often adjusting string tension downward to get extra bite on low-bouncing balls. That detail matters to buyers browsing pre-owned stock, because a racket that was set up for hard courts plays differently on grass even if the frame is identical.
If you are hunting a Wilson frame that matches what Draper has been using during his injury comeback, right now is a good moment to look. Player-level Wilson frames circulate on the pre-owned market in meaningful numbers when a pro is high-profile, and Draper's visibility just went up several notches with this Eastbourne run and the Wimbledon draw to follow. Browse pre-owned tennis rackets on EpicRackets to see what is currently listed.
The Andy Murray coaching effect#
Murray's involvement adds another layer. He has not been publicly coaching a tour player at this level before, and his grass-court knowledge is about as deep as it gets. Draper said Murray "believes in me and my tennis" in comments reported by Sky Sports. That kind of vote of confidence from someone who won at the All England Club twice tends to shift how a player carries themselves on court, and Draper's 6-1 opening set against Diallo suggests the mental reset is already showing.
From a gear perspective, coaching changes at the top level sometimes prompt frame or string tweaks as a new voice brings fresh preferences into the box. Worth watching.
Quick checklist: what to consider if Draper's grass form inspires a racket search#
| Factor | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Frame weight | Player-level Wilson frames typically run 310-330 g unstrung; check the listing spec |
| String bed | Pre-owned rackets may still be strung; ask the seller about tension and surface use |
| Grip size | Draper uses a relatively small grip; verify before buying |
| Condition | Grass-court use leaves distinct scuff patterns on the frame shoulders; inspect photos carefully |
| Age of stock | Frames listed this month are more likely to reflect current tour preferences |
Draper's first win since March, a thumping 6-1 6-4, is the kind of result that reminds the market he is still one of the most talented players on the tour when fit. Wimbledon starts Monday. If he goes deep, expect interest in Wilson grass-court setups to follow. Sell your own pre-owned tennis gear on EpicRackets if you have frames sitting in the bag unused this summer.
