Jack Draper Defends Jannik Sinner: 'He Doesn’t Deserve the Hate'

British tennis star Jack Draper has come to the defense of Jannik Sinner, insisting the Italian does not deserve the criticism he's received during his doping suspension. Sinner is currently serving a three-month ban after testing positive twice for the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol last year. Despite the setback, Draper emphasized Sinner's genuine character and praised his incredible talent on the court.

Initially, Sinner avoided suspension when the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) determined he wasn’t at fault for the positive tests, blaming an over-the-counter spray applied by his physio. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which eventually led to Sinner agreeing to a suspension running from February 9 to May 4.

Draper, who has been friends with Sinner since their junior tennis days, expressed his belief that the incident was simply an unfortunate mistake. In a joint interview with BBC Sport and The Guardian during the Madrid Open, Draper described Sinner as a "genuine, nice person" who likely had "zero idea" that any banned substance had entered his system.

Sinner is scheduled to return just in time for the Italian Open, which starts on May 7. However, his comeback could be met with mixed feelings in the locker room. Some in the tennis world have voiced discomfort with how the situation was handled, especially given that Sinner’s suspension allowed him to miss no Grand Slam tournaments.

Prominent players have also weighed in with strong opinions. Novak Djokovic remarked that the entire case reflected poorly on the sport and hinted at perceived favoritism. Meanwhile, British player Liam Broady suggested that the suspension appeared designed to minimize the impact on Sinner's career, and Serena Williams commented that harsher penalties would have been imposed had she been in a similar situation.

Despite the controversy, Sinner accepted responsibility, acknowledging in a February statement that WADA’s strict rules are crucial for the integrity of tennis. The ITIA also stressed that all cases are treated equally, regardless of the player's status or ranking. Sinner has since stayed mostly quiet, focusing on preparing for his return to competition.

Draper stressed that his opinion of Sinner has remained unchanged despite the surrounding noise. He highlighted Sinner’s kindness and insisted that the Italian does not deserve the hate directed at him. Draper hopes fans and players alike can see the genuine side of Sinner that he knows personally.

As Sinner gears up for his clay-court season and a potential run at the French Open, he recently reunited with Draper for practice sessions in Monte Carlo. Draper, choosing to focus purely on tennis rather than discussing the suspension, praised Sinner’s current form and expressed excitement about seeing him back on tour, saying his presence had been sorely missed.