Sinner’s Back: Practice Session with Draper Fuels Comeback Hopes

Jannik Sinner, the world number one, has officially commenced his preparations for a return to competitive tennis at the 2025 Italian Open in May. After serving a three-month suspension, Sinner was seen back on the court, practicing alongside British star Jack Draper. This signals the start of his comeback journey, and fans are eagerly anticipating his return.

Sinner’s Suspension: A Recap

Sinner’s suspension stemmed from a positive test for a minuscule trace of Clostebol, attributed to transdermal contamination from his physiotherapist in 2024. Despite initially receiving a “no fault or negligence” verdict, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed, leading to a three-month suspension agreed upon by Sinner.

The suspension, lasting from February 9 to May 4, prohibited Sinner from practicing on courts registered with national federations and official tennis tours until April 13. This meant he couldn’t train at his usual base, the Monte-Carlo Country Club.

Return to Practice: Partnering with Draper

On April 16, Sinner made his first public appearance at the Monte-Carlo Country Club, fulfilling a sponsorship commitment with Rolex. However, rain prevented him from taking the court that day.

The following day, April 17, marked Sinner’s official return to on-court training at Beaulieu’s Tennis Club near Monaco. The venue’s indoor clay court allowed him to practice despite the weather conditions. He chose his “good friend,” Jack Draper, currently ranked No. 6 in the world, as his first hitting partner.

Draper’s Ascent to the Top 10

Jack Draper has been making headlines himself recently. Draper has been ranked as high as world No. 6 in singles by the ATP, achieved on April 7, 2025. Draper’s recent achievements include winning his first Masters 1000 title at the 2025 Indian Wells Open, propelling him into the top 10. He is only the second left-handed player to reach the Top 6 on the ATP rankings this century, after Rafael Nadal.

Sinner’s Ranking and the Road Ahead

Despite the suspension, Jannik Sinner is guaranteed to remain the world number one when he returns to action in Rome. Neither Alexander Zverev nor Carlos Alcaraz have been able to surpass his points total during his absence. Sinner currently holds 9,930 points and is slated to spend his 45th through 49th weeks at No. 1.

Sinner’s Perspective and Focus

During the Australian Open in January, Sinner addressed concerns about his physical condition. While acknowledging feeling unwell during a match against Holger Rune, he downplayed any specific injury, attributing it to the challenges of the tournament.

Panatta’s Prediction: Sinner’s Vengeful Return

Italian tennis legend Adriano Panatta believes Sinner will come back strong after his suspension. Panatta anticipates a refreshed Sinner will be a formidable force at the upcoming Italian Open and French Open. He believes Sinner used his time away to improve his game and maintain his physical condition.

Kyrgios’s Reaction to Sinner’s Ban

Nick Kyrgios, who had previously criticized Sinner, described the doping ban as a “sad day for tennis.” He acknowledged the efforts of Sinner’s team in resolving the situation.

Draper’s Recent Successes

Draper’s rise in the tennis world has been notable. In addition to his Indian Wells victory, he reached the final of the ATP 500 tournament in Doha, where he was defeated by Andrey Rublev. He also reached the fourth round of the Australian Open.

Sinner’s Achievements Before the Suspension

Before his suspension, Sinner had a remarkable start to 2025, winning the Australian Open and solidifying his position as the world number one. His last professional match was on January 26, when he defeated Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open final.

Looking Ahead to the Italian Open

Sinner’s return at the Italian Open is highly anticipated. He missed the tournament last year due to injury, so he has the opportunity to gain ranking points this year. Panatta is optimistic about Sinner’s chances of winning the Italian Open and the French Open, stating that he is mature enough to win everything.

Sinner’s Legacy and Future

At only 23 years old, Jannik Sinner has already achieved significant success, including three Grand Slam titles. He is considered an example for all sports due to his behavior and maturity. Sinner is on the verge of becoming one of the few players to spend 50 weeks at No. 1 in ATP rankings history.

Conclusion

Jannik Sinner’s return to practice marks an important step in his comeback journey. His collaboration with Jack Draper demonstrates his commitment to preparing for future tournaments. As he approaches the end of his suspension, fans eagerly await his return to competitive tennis at the Italian Open.