Draper shows support for Sinner: "One thing is certain, Jannik will come back stronger"

Adrien Guyot

le 06/03/2025 à 10h06

2 min to read

Draper Indian Wells Sinner

Jannik Sinner is the main absentee in California. At the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells, the world number 1, who reached the semifinals of the same tournament last year, cannot participate due to his three-month suspension, which took effect on February 9.

Last year, it was during Indian Wells that Sinner tested positive twice for clostebol. Since the news was made public following his victory in Cincinnati, the Sinner case has divided tennis observers, but the Italian ultimately accepted a three-month suspension for negligence by his team.

For its part, the World Anti-Doping Agency confirmed that he had no intention of voluntarily consuming performance-enhancing substances.

Exempt from the first round in the American desert, Jack Draper, ranked 14th in the world, will enter the fray against Brazilian prodigy João Fonseca or British player Jacob Fearnley.

Meanwhile, Draper was asked about Jannik Sinner's situation and made sure to show his support for the 23-year-old player, a few months after their semifinal clash at the US Open.

"One thing is certain, Jannik will come back stronger. Of course, what he went through last year and at the start of this season has been tough for him. I always try to send him my support whenever I can.

I tell him that he is someone who inspires me, given all the positive results he has achieved, his daily work ethic, and the way he conducts himself on and off the court—it's really impressive.

He is a very kind and genuine person. I think he deserves all the success he is having right now, and I look forward to seeing him back on the tour," the Brit assured in an interview with Sky Sports Italia.