Jack Draper’s coaching team: Long-term mentor and former world No 6 ‘share same vision’ for British star

All eyes have been on one man in Queen’s this week: Jack Draper.

Having come into the prestigious ATP 500 event as the new British No 1 and a winner on the ATP Tour, Draper signalled his status as a man to watch by beating Carlos Alcaraz in their second-round clash.

Currently at a career-high of 31st, Draper could well be inside the top 30 when the ATP Rankings update next Monday – and even greater heights may be scaled in the coming months.

As the Brit gears up to be one of the faces of Wimbledon , we look at three of the key men behind his recent rise.

James Trotman

A respected figure within British tennis, Trotman has been working with Draper for three years, proving a trusted figure for the 22-year-old across the early stages of his career.

A junior prodigy, the 45-year-old won two junior Grand Slam doubles titles, though injuries prevented him from significantly impacting the senior tour.

After calling time on his playing career, Trotman worked with multiple British players, notably Anne Keothavong, Naomi Cavaday, and more recently Kyle Edmund.

Draper and Trotman started working together in 2021, and have stayed together since then.

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Wayne Ferreira

A fairly new edition to Draper’s box, Ferreira is no stranger to the grind of tour life.

The 52-year-old reached a career-high of world No 6 during his playing career and won an impressive 15 titles, twice reaching the semi-final of the Australian Open.

The South African began working with Draper and Trotman at the start of the clay-court season, aiding a new aggressive mindset that has taken the Brit to new heights in recent days.

“It’s working incredibly well. Me and James for a little while now have been thinking about adding someone with real value to my team, to my coaching team,” said Draper after his round one win.

“It’s important that we have someone to share the load. Now, there is one thing just sharing the load but also it’s important for that person to come in and add value.

“Wayne was someone who really believed in my tennis and believed that if I did certain things differently, then I can really rise to the top of the game.

“That was a big plus there, that someone like him really believed in us and what we are trying to do. I guess we are at the start of the journey with Wayne.

“Obviously me and Trots have been together for three years now, and we have done incredible work, and it’s just getting another pair of eyes, another opinion that’s important.

“I feel like in sport there is a lot of egos. A lot of coaches wouldn’t maybe want another coach to come on board and talk differently or whatever, but I feel like we all share the same vision for my tennis.”

Steve Kotze

Having struggled with injuries throughout his career – notably missing the entirety of the grass swing a year ago – Draper’s physical stamina has noticeably improved in recent weeks.

That may be down to the work of Steve Kotze, his former fitness coach who he reunited with back towards the tail end of 2023.

South African Kotze has previously worked with Edmund and Murray throughout his career and, speaking after defeating Alcaraz, Draper said the decision to reunite with him had been the perfect one.

“Last year having to miss out on the grass really hurt, but at the same time, I was nowhere near ready. I was injured all over my body.

“I had shoulder problems, hip problems. Yeah, my body was just made of glass at that point. Mentally, as well, I wouldn’t have been ready either.

“I think it was kind of a blessing in disguise because ever since I came back from those injuries last year since September I have been really putting in great work.

“I got back with my old fitness coach, Steve Kotze, who is incredible, worked with many top players.”

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