Draper and Sinner are good friends – the pair have played doubles together on the tour and Sinner has even taught the world No. 6 how to cook. So it was no surprise that Draper has defended the Italian throughout his doping saga.
“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,” the 23-year-old told the BBC and Guardian.
“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.”
Sinner twice tested positive for the prohibited substance clostebol last year but was allowed to keep playing when he successfully appealed his provisional suspensions. The world No. 1 and his team argued that he was contaminated via his then-physio.
In August, an independent tribunal accepted his contamination argument and ruled that he “bore no fault or negligence” for the anti-doping violations. But WADA appealed on the basis that Sinner should bear some responsibility for negligence among his team.
The appeal was set to be heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in April, but in February, Sinner and WADA reached a case-resolution agreement, and the Italian accepted a three-month suspension that ends on May 4.
Some players have criticised the handling of Sinner’s case, but Draper believes the three-time Major winner doesn’t deserve “hate”.
He 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. He doesn’t deserve any of the hate he gets.”
The world No. 6 was also happy to get some more reps in on the clay after going 1-1 in matches at the Monte-Carlo Masters, explaining that there was no one better to hit with than top-ranked Sinner.
“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,” Draper added.
“If you’re going to train with anyone it has got to be the best in the world, right? He’s obviously had a bit of time off but he’s playing at an incredible level still. It was great to be around him for a few days and get some good sparring.”
Draper will now turn his attention to the Madrid Open, where he has a bye into the second round and will face Tallon Griekspoor or a qualifier. The Brit is in Novak Djokovic’s section of the draw, and they could meet in the quarters.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk