Andy Murray Joins Jack Draper's Coaching Team for Grass-Court Season

Andy Murray has been in the Centre Court coaching box once before.

Murray famously clambered up to the stands - using the canvas roof of a commentary booth as a leg up - to celebrate with his team in 2013 after ending Britain's 77-year wait for a Wimbledon men's champion.

Next week, Murray could be back in those seats shouting down instructions to fellow Briton Jack Draper, having joined his coaching team for the grass-court season.

Two years on from his retirement, Murray sat down with BBC Sport for an exclusive interview about what tempted him back to tennis, why he was not surprised by Serena Williams' comeback and how he is filling the void left by not playing.

It never felt as though Murray would be away from tennis for long - but his planned return to the All England Club with Draper this summer is still a surprise.

The 39-year-old had been enjoying life outside tennis in the 18 months since he stopped coaching old rival Novak Djokovic, spending time with wife Kim and their four children as well as honing his golf game and diversifying his business interests.

In April, Murray said he was not ready to return to coaching. A month later, Draper announced he had brought his childhood idol into his team.

The Scot has long been an informal mentor to the 24-year-old on and off court - who could forget his role of grumpy driver as Draper sang in their car journey home, external from a Davis Cup win in 2023 - but the timing of their partnership was unexpected.

So what changed for Murray?

"After I stopped working with Novak, I had a number of opportunities to coach again," he explained.

"I had no interest in being on the road and away from my family.

"It wasn't that I disliked coaching - I just didn't enjoy it more than I do being at home with my family.

"When Jack asked me, I thought about it, spoke to my wife and told Jack that I'd love to help him."

Murray is essentially fulfilling the role of a 'super-coach' - similar to the dynamic he had with eight-time major champion Ivan Lendl, who helped him win his three Grand Slam titles.

Over the past few weeks, Draper and Murray have been working on the practice courts at the National Tennis Centre in London as Draper recovers from more fitness problems.

Former world number four Draper has lost his place at the top of the men's game after a range of injuries over the past year, but starts his latest comeback at Eastbourne this week in a bid to prove his fitness for Wimbledon.

Murray - who also experienced physical issues in the first part of his career - hopes the partnership will be a long-term venture.

"I think Jack's a brilliant player. There is no doubt that when he gets back on the court he will perform well and win matches at the highest level," Murray said.

"But right now the focus is on trying to get him back competing consistently again."

Wimbledon will also see the return of the great Serena Williams to the Grand Slam stage.

Murray says he is not "too surprised" the American superstar has returned - initially in doubles but with the door left ajar for singles - after a conversation between the pair at last year's Miami Open.

"She asked if I missed playing. I was like, 'not at all, to be honest'," said Murray, who memorably played alongside Williams in the 2019 Wimbledon mixed doubles.

"She said, 'yes, I miss it every single day. I absolutely loved competing, love playing. If I could, I'd be back out there again'."

Could Murray see himself making a sensational comeback aged 44?

"As much as I would love to, I don't think I'd physically be capable of doing that," he smiled.

"I haven't missed the sport enough yet to want to get on the court and even hit tennis balls.

"I don't mind hitting the occasional ball if it's required on the practice court, but I don't think 44-year-old me will be competing."

It is not surprising to hear Murray has not sat around with his feet up.

Those who know him well - or covered his playing career for many years - will describe him as someone who strives to do everything to the best of his ability.

Sport is still central to his life.

Murray spends hours on the golf course in his mission to become a scratch player and has dipped his toe into padel. He has also been helping his six-year-old son play chess.

Recently there have been late nights watching Scotland at the men's World Cup, while Murray gleefully collected an NBA Fantasy debt owed by doubles player Mate Pavic when they bumped into each other at Queen's.

Outside of sport, Murray and Kim continue to be hands on in running their plush hotel near his hometown of Dunblane.

"The advice I was given when I finished was to just try lots of new things because, as athletes, we just do one thing," Murray added.

"My whole life - since I was 14 or 15 - was wrapped up in tennis and that's all I knew.

"I didn't love doing stuff outside of tennis because I felt like it was distracting me from the work.

"So I've tried to do different stuff, see whether I like it and if I'm good at it."