Jack Draper Backs Jannik Sinner Amid Doping Controversy: 'He Deserves Respect, Not Hate'

Jack Draper, Britain’s No. 1 tennis player, has spoken out strongly in support of Jannik Sinner as the Italian nears the end of his doping suspension. Draper insisted that Sinner doesn’t deserve the criticism he’s been facing, emphasizing the 23-year-old’s kind nature and outstanding talent. Speaking to BBC Sport and The Guardian during the Madrid Open, Draper described his long-time friend as a “genuine, nice person” and praised his incredible abilities on the court.

Sinner, a three-time Grand Slam champion, is currently serving a three-month ban after twice testing positive for Clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, in March of last year. Initially, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) cleared him of fault, accepting that a physio had mistakenly applied an over-the-counter spray containing the substance. However, following an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Sinner agreed to a suspension running from February 9 to May 4.

While Sinner’s suspension has sparked debate within the tennis community, Draper believes the positive tests were the result of an innocent mistake. He emphasized that Sinner likely had "absolutely zero idea" about the contamination. “That’s just the way life goes – sometimes, there’s mistakes,” Draper said, expressing full confidence in Sinner’s character and integrity despite the controversy surrounding him.

Sinner is set to return at the Italian Open beginning May 7, just three days after his ban ends. However, his reappearance may not be without tension, as some players and observers have questioned the handling of his case. Notably, Novak Djokovic criticized the situation, saying it presented a poor image for tennis and hinted at perceived favoritism in the sport’s anti-doping procedures.

British player Liam Broady also voiced concerns, suggesting the suspension seemed designed to minimize the damage to Sinner’s career. Serena Williams added her voice to the discussion, saying that if she had been in the same situation, she would have faced far harsher consequences. However, Williams still described Sinner as a "fantastic personality" and "great for the sport," recognizing his contribution to tennis.

An ITIA spokesperson responded to the criticism, stating that all doping cases are handled equally, regardless of a player's status or ranking. Meanwhile, Sinner himself released a statement in February, acknowledging the strict nature of WADA’s rules and taking full responsibility for his team’s actions. He reiterated his commitment to upholding the integrity of the sport he loves.

Despite the divisive opinions across the tennis world, Draper made it clear that his friendship with Sinner remains intact. He reiterated that people should recognize the Italian star’s kind-hearted nature. “He doesn’t deserve any of the hate that he gets,” Draper insisted, underlining the importance of seeing beyond the controversy and valuing Sinner’s true character.

As the clay court season kicks into gear, Sinner will be aiming to capture his first French Open title. Draper, who recently practiced with Sinner in Monte Carlo, said they didn’t discuss the suspension much, choosing instead to focus on the game. “He’s had a bit of time off, but he’s still playing at an incredible level,” Draper said. “It was great to train with him, and I can’t wait to see him back on tour because his presence has been missed.”