Sinner: "We know each other pretty well with Jack (Draper)".

Jannik Sinner takes on Jack Draper this Friday in the US Open semi-finals. The two players know and like each other. They were both born in 2001, so they've been meeting in tournaments since their junior days. The Italian explained in a press conference.

Jannik Sinner:
"We know each other quite well with Jack (Draper), so it's interesting to see how this match turns out. I was asked earlier if I'd ever played against him as a junior.

I don't remember, but I've definitely seen him. We weren't friends yet. But (we became) after playing him in Queens (Draper won 7-6, 7-6 in the 1st round in 2021).

It's going to be a tough match. He hasn't lost a set here yet. He plays well, he serves well. I saw his previous match (against De Minaur), and he hits very, very hard. It's going to be a tough match, but I'm looking forward to it. I hope it will be a good match. [...]

As a Junior, I was never good. I don't remember playing him in doubles (Draper said he remembered playing Sinner). But I remember seeing him from the outside.

Of course, left-handers are also difficult to play. There are fewer left-handers than right-handers. His ball-striking was always very good.

It was great to share the court with him in doubles in Montreal. We got to know each other even better. We send each other messages when we're having a good or bad time, to try and support each other.

It's a great friendship. Obviously, we try to put that aside during the hours we're on the court. I think that's obvious."

But every time we shake hands, we come back to our friendship and everything's going to be fine. I don't remember so many things when I was a junior, not least because I didn't play much."