Milan, 22 April (LaPresse) – ‘It's important that people know and recognise that he's a guy with a big, big heart and a good person. So he doesn't deserve the hate he gets.’ This is how Jack Draper, number one in British tennis and fresh from the ATP top ten, spoke about his friend Jannik Sinner during an interview with The Guardian. ‘When people ask me about him, or anyone else, I tell the truth,’ said Draper. ‘I think Jannik is a really, really genuine and kind person. And on top of that, he's obviously an incredible player. In this situation, I'm sure he had no idea. That's life: sometimes you make mistakes,’ he added about the Clostebol case that cost Sinner a three-month suspension. Draper then spoke about the few days of training they spent together in Montevarlo. ‘I was looking for someone to train with for the week and I knew Jannik was available and in Monte Carlo on clay, so I arranged with his team to go there for three or four days and train with him,’ he said. ‘Obviously, he's taken some time off, but he's still playing at an incredible level. I can't wait to have him back on tour because I think his presence has been missed. It was great to be with him for a few days and do some healthy sparring,’ concluded Draper, who has never hidden his friendship for Sinner and has always defended him against the accusations made in recent months.
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