Jack Draper backs Jannik Sinner against ‘hate’ comments ahead of comeback from doping ban
Jannik Sinner recently trained with Jack Draper in Monte Carlo as he is preparing his comeback following the doping suspension.
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Jack Draper, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)
Jannik Sinner doesn’t deserve hate because of the doping saga, asserted Jack Draper, who recently practiced with the Italian in Monte-Carlo. Sinner is preparing to make his return after his three-month doping ban.
Draper is gearing up for the second clay-court Masters 1000 of the season: the Madrid Open. Sinner won’t play as his ban will end on May 4 and the Italian Open, which starts on May 7, will mark his comeback. The Brit, ahead of his opening round match, spoke highly of Sinner and dismissed the criticism he has been receiving for failing the drug test.
When people ask about Jannik I tell the truth – I think he is a really genuine, nice person and on top of that he is an unbelievable player. In this situation I am sure he would have had absolutely zero idea of anything.
Jack Draper told the BBC and The Guardian
Sinner tested positive for clostebol, which entered his body during physiotherapy sessions. Since the announcement from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), Sinner faced harsh criticism from fans as well as his colleagues, some of who even think that the World No.1 willfully used the banned anabolic steroid to enhance his performance.
In terms of how I feel about him as a person, I think it is important for people to know and recognize the guy is kind-hearted and a good human being. He doesn’t deserve any of the hate he gets.
Jack Draper added
After the ITIA handed him the no-fault or negligence verdict, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) stepped in to demand a ban of between one and two years before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). But WADA settled the case after his Australian Open victory this year, suspending him for just three months.
Boris Becker can’t wait for Jannik Sinner’s comeback
Jannik Sinner was on the nomination list for the Sportsman of the Year award, having won eight official titles last year, including the Australian Open, US Open, and the ATP Finals. But toward the end of February, Laureus announced that they withdrew his name due to the doping saga.
Tennis great Boris Becker attended the Laureus Awards, held on Monday (April 21) in Madrid. During an interview with Eurosport, the six-time Grand Slam champion, while discussing various topics that have been the talk of the town in recent months, made his feelings known about Sinner’s comeback.
I’m happy that he’s back. I think tennis needs Sinner as much as [Carlos] Alcaraz. I think the whole sports world is waiting for his return.
Boris Becker said
Sinner has so far played just the Australian Open this year. He eased past World No.2 Alexander Zverev to defend his crown and claim his third Grand Slam title. Despite playing just one tournament, Sinner didn’t lose his No.1 ranking to Alcaraz or Zverev.
Jannik Sinner will be playing the Italian Open for the first time since 2023
Sinner skipped the Italian Open last year as he suffered from an injury during his Madrid Open campaign due to which he gave a walkover to Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinals. In the 2023 season in Rome, the 23-year-old lost in the fourth round in three sets against Francisco Cerundolo.
After the Italian Open, Sinner will be playing in the Hamburg European Open before the French Open. At Roland Garros, Sinner produced his best when he reached the semifinal last year, losing the match in five sets to Carlos Alcaraz. So far in his career, Sinner has lifted just one clay-court title: the 2022 Umag Open.
Also Read: Rafael Nadal ‘convinced’ about Jannik Sinner’s innocence in doping scandal
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