“There Are Mistakes” – Beyond the Doping Controversy Jack Draper Reveals the Jannik Sinner He Knows

“The three-month suspension was a decision to be made in a short time, even if I did not agree with it, in the end, you have to choose the lesser evil,” confessed Jannik Sinner, in an interaction with Sky Sports Italy earlier this month. The lesser evil? A three-month suspension by WADA. Pros like Nick Kyrgios kept attacking him for “preferential treatment”. But guess what? There are also those who think Sinner “doesn’t deserve any of the hate he gets.” How come?

Back in February, 2025 Australian Open champion Sinner received a three-month suspension owing to an out-of-court settlement with WADA. That time, Draper stood out in support of him: “I know Jannik, he’s a good friend and I know that with this whole thing, I am sure he wouldn’t have done anything intentionally. But obviously, that’s the sport and we have to be accountable for what’s going in our bodies. Yeah, he is obviously banned now for a few months. I don’t think that’s good for tennis,” reported on February 17th. And guess what? Draper has now reiterated his feelings about Sinner.

In a joint interaction with BBC and Guardian at the Madrid Open, dated April 22, the 2025 Indian Wells winner said, “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” He added, “In this situation, I am sure he would have had absolutely zero idea of anything. That’s the way life goes – sometimes there are mistakes.” Mistakes?

Sinner was initially cleared of any wrongdoing with the ITIA declaring “no fault or negligence” in his case. Meaning that he didn’t intentionally take the banned substance Clostebol. It was due to his physiotherapist. The latter was treating a cut on his finger with the help of an over-the-counter spray that contained Clostebol.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 23: Jannik Sinner of Italy speaks to the media during a press conference ahead of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 23, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Sinner opted to take the ban instead of going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Had he taken the second route, it would have risked a longer ban duration while jeopardizing his remaining 2025 season. Draper continued, “In terms of how I feel about him as a person, I think it is important for people to know and recognise the guy is kind-hearted and a good human being,” the Brit concluded, “He doesn’t deserve any of the hate he gets.”

In case you haven’t observed already, Draper has been by the side of Sinner in-person lately. How? Well, the two have been practicing together at the Monte Carlo Country Club (MCCC). After his campaign finished early, with a R16 loss against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Draper chose to stay at the MCCC for training. In Sinner, he found the best partner he could get. After all, the two have played doubles together in the past.

“I knew Jannik was available and in Monte Carlo on the clay so we organised with his team to go out there for three or four days and train with him,” said Draper. “If you’re going to train with anyone it has got to be the best in the world, right?”

The World No.6 further added that despite getting a time off, Sinner’s “playing at an incredible level still. It was great to be around him for a few days and get some good sparring.” Now that the Italian’s set to return to professional tennis, is he still bothered by the controversy? Seems like he’s gone past it already.

Jannik Sinner looks to leave doping controversy behind to make a solid return

Following the news of his 3-month ban, Jannik Sinner explained why he opted to choose this way. Was he really at fault? No. But he had to avert the bigger risk. “This case had been hanging over me for nearly a year and the process still had a long time to run with a decision, maybe only at the end of the year,” he said in a statement, reported by BBC on February 15.

Continuing further, he added, “I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realise Wada’s strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love. On that basis, I have accepted Wada’s offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a three-month sanction.”

In a recent interaction with Sky Sports Italy, he threw the light on utilizing time lately. Especially while being away from professional events. “Honestly, I have done many different things, I have spent a lot of time with my family, especially with my dad. We have done different things with my best friends who are in Monte Carlo. I went go-karting, we went on a bike ride, in short, did many new things” And that’s not all!

“We are working really hard in the gym to be even more physically ready when I return,” the Italian remarked. “Everything is going well.” From April 13, he’s been able to train officially before making a comeback at the Italian Open next month. After that, he will also be eligible to compete in the French Open. What are your thoughts on his prospects at the Roland Garros? Will he lift his second straight slam after clinching the Melbourne Major back in January? Let us know in the comments below.

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