Jack Draper Says He’s Happy with Jannik Sinner’s Comeback as 3-Month Doping Ban Was ‘Bad for Tennis’
Jack Draper is projected to meet his good friend Jannik Sinner in the final of the Italian Open, where the latter will be making his comeback.
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Jack Draper, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)
All eyes will be on Jannik Sinner‘s match against Mariano Navone in the second round of the Italian Open, scheduled on Saturday (May 10). Ahead of his first match since this year’s Australian Open final, British tennis ace Jack Draper made his feelings known on Sinner’s comeback.
Sinner tested positive for clostebol. And after initially avoiding a ban, he was handed a three-month suspension by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after his Australian Open campaign.
Sinner always found a supporter in his long-time friend Draper since the announcement of his failing drug tests was made in August last year by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). The three-time Grand Slam champion even practiced with the reigning Indian Wells champion for a few days in Monte Carlo last month.
This week, Sinner will be the center of attention, but I think it’s good that the World No.1 one is back on the ATP Tour. We missed Jannik. He’s the strongest tennis player today and I think it was bad for tennis that he couldn’t play tournaments. We obviously know what happened, but I’m happy he’s back. I wish him the best.
Jack Draper told Corriere dello Sport
Draper is set to lock horns with Luciano Darderi to kick off his campaign in the Italian capital. He will be entering the match after playing the final of the Madrid Open, which he lost to Casper Ruud, who became the first Norwegian to win a Masters 1000 title. Before Madrid, Draper advanced to his first Masters 1000 final at Indian Wells, ending his campaign in his favor by beating Holger Rune.
Sinner could set up a clash with Draper if both of them reach the final. In the head-to-head matchups, both the players have won a match each in their two encounters. The last time they faced each other was in the semifinals of the 2024 US Open, which Sinner won before beating Taylor Fritz to become a two-time Major champion.
Jim Courier says Jannik Sinner has been handed the worst draw
Jannik Sinner could meet Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals. But before that, he could run into Francisco Cerundolo in the third round.
In the semifinals, he is projected to meet Taylor Fritz, Jakub Mensik, Alex de Minaur, Joao Fonseca, or Reilly Opelka. Four-time Grand Slam champion Jim Courier thinks Sinner could face a lot of difficulties from the third round.
[Alejandro] Davidovich Fokina has been so good this season. What about [Francisco] Cerundolo if he gets past [Frances] Tiafoe? That’s who he would likely face. My goodness, this is the worst draw you could possibly get for coming back in.
Jim Courier said on the Tennis Channel Live Podcast
The 23-year-old is projected to lock horns with Carlos Alcaraz in the final. Against the Spaniard, Sinner trails 4-6 in the head-to-head record and also lost the last three matches they played in 2024.
Jannik Sinner is searching for his first Italian Open title
Jannik Sinner will be making his sixth appearance at the Italian Open. Never in his five previous appearances, he was successful in reaching the final.
Last year, he skipped his home tournament because of an injury. He produced his best performance in 2022 when he reached the quarterfinals which he lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Sinner is also bidding to win his second clay-court title. He has lifted 19 singles titles in his career, one of which came on clay. In 2022, Sinner became a champion at the Croatia Open. He had inched closer to winning the French Open last year as he reached the semifinals but lost a thrilling match to Carlos Alcaraz.
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