Jannik Sinner continued his return to form with a commanding straight-sets victory over Jesper de Jong at the Rome Open. Following the win, the Italian took a moment in his post-match press conference to acknowledge the unwavering support of training partner Jack Draper during his recent suspension.
“He’s Been Very Supportive Since August”
Sinner, who recently returned to competition after serving a three-month doping suspension, emphasized the importance of Draper’s friendship and backing during a difficult time.
“He’s been very supportive of me since August,” Sinner said, smiling. “He’s a very good friend.”
The two trained together in Monaco throughout Sinner’s layoff. Draper, now a top-5 ATP player, had previously spoken about Sinner’s character, calling him “kind-hearted” and “genuine.”
“He keeps showing up every day,” Sinner added. “He’s one of the most consistent players this season. We’re very similar—humble, hard-working, and grounded.”
Their shared values, Sinner explained, are the foundation of a strong friendship that has endured the challenges of high-level competition.
Return to Form on Home Soil
Playing in front of a home crowd in Rome, Sinner is enjoying a gradual but determined return to the tour. Against de Jong, he started strongly but admitted to some rust.
“Physically, I recovered well after my first match. But matches are different from practice—today I had a slight drop in energy. Normally it lasts a game and a half, today it was closer to three,” he laughed. “But it’s normal—this is just my second match back.”
Despite the dip in performance mid-set, Sinner closed out the match convincingly and highlighted the importance of building momentum ahead of the French Open.
Praise for De Jong
Sinner also took time to compliment his opponent:
“Jesper is an amazing person. We’ve gotten to know each other recently. He’s very solid physically, runs a lot, has a great forehand when given time, and mixes things up well with drop shots.”
Next Challenge: Francisco Cerundolo
Looking ahead, Sinner will face Argentine clay-court specialist Francisco Cerundolo in the Round of 16. Cerundolo, currently ranked No. 18, has been in strong form, recently defeating World No. 2 Alexander Zverev en route to the Madrid semifinals.
“I know I’ll have to raise my level tomorrow,” Sinner admitted. “It’s going to be a good test, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Stay tuned as Sinner continues his comeback in Rome, with Roland-Garros just around the corner.
