Jannik Sinner grateful for Jack Draper's support and 'positive energy' during doping ban - 'Meant so much to me'
Published 13/05/2025 at 09:37 GMT+1
Jannik Sinner is back on the ATP Tour at the Italian Open following a three-month doping ban. During the ban he received support from British No. 1 Jack Draper, who described Sinner as a "really genuine, nice person". Sinner, who is into the last 16 in Rome, said he has a "great friendship" with Draper and his support gave him "positive energy" during his ban.
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Jannik Sinner has expressed his thanks to Jack Draper for giving him "positive energy" through his support during his three-month doping ban.
World No. 1 Sinner accepted the ban following a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after he tested positive for a banned substance.
The length and timing of Sinner’s suspension - which did not see him miss any Grand Slam events - was questioned by some players.
But Draper stood by Sinner, describing him as a "really genuine, nice person" who "doesn’t deserve any of the hate he gets".
The pair also trained together ahead of the Italian’s return to the tour.
Sinner, who is playing at the Italian Open this week, said Draper’s support meant "so much" to him.
"Me and Jack, we have known each other for quite long. We got to know each other better now when he came to the level where we are," said Sinner.
"I think all players know how strong he was, what potential he had, and now he’s showing it. He’s one of the best players, maybe the most consistent player we have throughout this season. He keeps showing up every day.
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"We find ourselves in a great friendship because we are very similar as people. We are humble. We try to do our best on court. Off court, we are just very simple people.
"His support meant so much to me and some other players. Whoever supported me in this period, I really, really appreciate that. For me it was very good, it was positive energy."
While Sinner was away from the tour, Draper was climbing up the ATP Tour rankings.
Having started the year at No. 16 in the world, Draper is now up to No. 5 and could move up another spot after the Italian Open.
That would leave him just three places behind Sinner.
"I’ve always been his biggest fan," said Sinner about Draper.
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"When I cannot play or when he’s still in a tournament, I wish him only the best.
"Of course, things are a little bit more competitive now because he’s in the position where he is, a top-five player. But it doesn’t really matter because off court we have a great friendship and we will keep that for sure. I’m very sure that we will keep that throughout our whole careers.
"He’s a very, very good human being, very genuine. All things he said are coming back to him because he’s a good man."
Draper faces Corentin Moutet in the last 16 of the Italian Open, while Sinner faces 17th seed Francisco Cerundolo.
Cerundolo beat Sinner in their last meeting in Rome in 2023, levelling the head-to-head record at 2-2.
Sinner and Draper are on opposite sides of the Italian Open draw and could only meet in the final.
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