The summer grass court season has officially arrived. British tennis stars are putting in hard work behind the scenes. This week, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) preparation center welcomed big names like Heather Watson and Jack Draper. Both players are looking to find their footing on the lawn after battling unexpected injuries earlier in the year.

Jack Draper has experienced a rollercoaster couple of seasons. He reached a magnificent career-high ranking of world No. 4 in June 2025 after winning his first ATP Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells. However, physical setbacks have slowed his momentum. A recent knee injury forced him to withdraw from Roland Garros, following an arm injury that kept him out of the Australian Open.

Now, the world No. 2 British player is focusing on his favorite surface. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall, his booming left-handed game is perfectly built for grass. Fans are excited about his new partnership with former British No. 1 Andy Murray. While reports suggested he might return at the BOSS Open in Stuttgart, his team revealed a slight delay. Draper is now targeting a major return at the Queen’s Club Championships before heading straight to Wimbledon.

Heather Watson is also making a push to regain her top form. The former Wimbledon mixed doubles champion suffered a tough tendon issue in her left glute. The injury forced her into a long six-month layoff through late 2025. Because of this break, her WTA ranking dropped down significantly.

The 34-year-old veteran is on a fierce comeback trail. She recently fought through the qualifying stages at the Lexus Birmingham Open. Watson narrowly missed a spot in the next round after a hard-fought match against Viktoria Hruncakova, ending in a close 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 loss. Despite the early bump, her time at the LTA preparation center is giving her the conditioning she needs to build stamina for the intense grass swing ahead.

The LTA preparation center serves as the ultimate launchpad for British players during the summer. Training on grass is very different from playing on hard courts or clay. The ball bounces much lower, and the points are much faster. Players must practice specific footwork to avoid slipping on the slick green turf.

The facility provides top-tier coaching, physical therapy, and practice courts that mimic the exact conditions of Wimbledon. For athletes like Draper and Watson, this environment is essential for testing their recovering bodies and sharpening their reflexes.

With Wimbledon vinci tennis right around the corner, the pressure is on. Both players are showing great determination to make their home crowd proud this summer.