Jannik Sinner’s return to tennis at the 2025 Italian Open after a three-month doping suspension has stirred controversy, with the world No. 1 expressing disappointment over the lack of support from some rival players and Jack Draper facing backlash for his vocal defense of Sinner. The situation has sparked debates about player dynamics, sportsmanship, and the handling of Sinner’s doping case, as reported by *Express* and *Motociclismo* on May 6, 2025.
In a pre-tournament press conference at the Italian Open, Sinner revealed his frustration with certain players who failed to reach out during his suspension for testing positive for clostebol in March 2024, a case ruled unintentional due to contamination from a physiotherapist’s spray. “At the beginning, I had surprising messages from tennis players that I would not have expected to receive, and nothing from those who instead I expected to receive something,” Sinner said, per *Express*. He declined to name individuals, adding, “Everything will be fine, it will pass slowly,” but emphasized the individualistic nature of tennis, stating, “Tennis is an individual sport, everyone has their own team.” His comments, described as a “dig” by *Express*, highlighted a perceived lack of solidarity, particularly from players he considered close allies, sparking discussions about locker-room camaraderie. Sinner noted positive interactions with Jack Draper and Lorenzo Sonego during training in Monte Carlo, suggesting they were among the few who offered genuine support.
Draper, a long-time friend of Sinner’s, has been one of his most outspoken supporters, training with him in Monte Carlo in April 2025 and publicly defending his character. In a joint interview with *BBC Sport* and *The Guardian* at the Madrid Open, Draper said, “Jannik is a really genuine, nice person… He doesn’t deserve any of the hate that he gets,” asserting that Sinner had “zero idea” of the contamination. He reiterated this on Sky Sports, calling the ban unfortunate for tennis but expressing hope for Sinner’s swift return. However, Draper’s comments, particularly his dismissal of the doping controversy as a “mistake,” drew criticism from some fans and players who questioned Sinner’s three-month ban, which allowed him to miss no Grand Slams and return for his home event in Rome.
Posts on X, such as from @_Vikash on May 1, 2025, labeled Draper “too chummy” with Sinner, reflecting fan skepticism about his impartiality given their friendship. Others, like @JSinnerFR2, praised Draper’s loyalty, but the broader sentiment, as seen in @parisianarchive’s post, suggested Draper’s support was polarizing, with some viewing it as overly personal. Critics, including Nick Kyrgios, who called the anti-doping system “corrupt,” and Serena Williams, who claimed she’d have faced a 20-year ban, argued Sinner’s punishment was lenient, fueling the backlash against Draper’s defense. Liam Broady told *BBC Sport* the suspension seemed designed to “impact Jannik’s career as little as possible,” adding to the perception of favoritism.
Sinner’s doping case, settled with WADA after an initial no-fault ruling by the ITIA, has divided the tennis community. While Rafael Nadal and Draper backed Sinner’s innocence, Novak Djokovic and the PTPA raised concerns about inconsistent penalties, especially compared to Max Purcell’s 18-month ban. Sinner’s candid remarks about his peers, combined with Draper’s outspoken support, have exposed tensions in the ATP locker room. *Motociclismo* framed Sinner’s comments as a “betrayal” by peers, igniting debate about sportsmanship in a cutthroat sport. Draper’s actions, including his Madrid Open final run (losing 6-4, 7-5 to Casper Ruud), were hailed by some as a show of solidarity, but others, per *Tennis365*, suggested his comments “raised eyebrows” among players skeptical of Sinner’s case.
As Sinner prepares to face either Mariano Navone or Federico Cinà in Rome on May 10, his focus is on regaining match fitness, with “low expectations” for immediate results, per his press conference. Draper, fresh off his top-five ranking, aims to build on his clay success. The controversy, however, underscores deeper issues in tennis regarding trust in anti-doping protocols and player relationships, with Sinner and Draper at the center of a polarizing narrative.
