World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has returned to the tennis court, training with British No. 1 Jack Draper in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, as he prepares for his comeback following a doping suspension. Sinner, who accepted a three-month ban from the World Anti-Doping Agency in February, will be eligible to compete again starting May 4, just in time for the Italian Open.
Until April 13, Sinner was barred from using public tennis facilities or training with professional players. However, with the lifting of those restrictions, the 23-year-old resumed official training activity this week, practicing on clay at the Monte-Carlo Country Club and later sparring with Draper.
Though Sinner had previously trained privately with players like Matteo Berrettini, this was the first time he was seen hitting on an official court since the ban. A video posted by the ITF Junior tournament in Beaulieu showed the two players exchanging rallies. Sinner also recorded a message for junior players at the tournament, wishing them luck in the semifinals.
Sinner and Draper share a strong friendship, having played doubles together in the past. Draper even defended Sinner publicly amid his doping case, saying on Sky Sports:
“Jannik is a good friend. I’m sure he wouldn’t have done anything intentionally. I don’t think it’s good for tennis or sport that the No. 1 player is banned, but he’ll be back soon and I wish him all the best.”
Draper recently reached the round of 16 at the Monte-Carlo Masters and will next compete in the Madrid Masters 1000 event. Meanwhile, Sinner’s return is scheduled for Rome next month.
