Jannik Sinner has praised Jack Draper for his support to the Italian during the suspension as he moved into the fourth round in Rome.
It was another good performance from the world number one as he moved into the last 16 in Rome with a 6-4 6-2 victory.
A competitive first set and a half unfolded before Jesper De Jong injured his wrist which allowed Sinner to cruise through.
Next up for Sinner will be Francisco Cerundolo which is expected to be Sinner’s first big test since his return.
After his win over De Jong Sinner reflected on his performance and previewed his last 16 clash with Cerundolo, “Physically, the first match was okay. I recovered quite good. Obviously matches, they are a bit different. The impact on our body is for sure different than only practice sessions. No, I feel good,” Sinner reflected on his tournament in his press conference.
“I started off very well today, then I had drop, which usually this drop is one and a half games. Today was three games, three and a half games. But it’s normal. It’s the second match I play in three and a half months. It’s long time.
“As I said, every chance I have to play one more match is very positive. Putting myself here that I can play the third match, it’s already very, very good for me and my progress. Then we see what’s coming.
“Of course, I know I have to raise my level tomorrow. Let’s see what’s coming. But I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a good test.”
It’s been a tough last three months for Sinner who was suspended from the tour as part of a settlement over his positive doping test.
There have been a range of opinions with the majority thinking that the suspension done in poor test.
However one of the few players that have supported Sinner throughout this period is Jack Draper.
After his win Sinner spoke about his friendship with Draper and how much the support meant to him, “Well, me and Jack, we know each other for quite long. We got to know each other better now when he came to the level where we are,” Sinner stated.
“We find ourself in a great friendship because we are very similar as people. We are humble. We try to do our best on court. Off court we are just very simple people. His support meant so much to me and some other players. Whoever supported me in this period, I really, really appreciate that.
“Yeah, for me it was very good. It was positive energy. It was good with him to practice in Monaco couple of weeks ago. I’ve always been his biggest fan. When I cannot play or when he’s still in tournament, I wish him only the best. Of course things are a little bit more competitive now because he’s in the position where he is, top-five player.
“But it doesn’t really matter because off court we have a great friendship and we will keep that for sure. I’m very sure that we will keep that throughout our whole careers. He’s a very, very good human being, very genuine. All things he said is coming back to him because he’s a good man.”
Both players are still in Rome but are in opposite halves of the draw heading into the fourth round.
