World No. 1 Jannik Sinner recently made a bold claim about who he believes has been the ATP Tour’s steadiest performer this season—and it’s not the usual suspects like Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev or Taylor Fritz. The Italian, fresh off a three-month suspension following two positive drug tests in late 2024, is slowly rebuilding his momentum, having reached the Italian Open quarterfinals in just his second tournament back.
As he eyes a deep run at the French Open, Sinner surprised fans by revealing his pick for the player who’s delivered unmatched consistency in 2025. But the name he dropped wasn’t on anyone’s radar…
Jannik Sinner’s unexpected praise
Amid his own comeback narrative, Sinner took a moment to shine a light on an under-the-radar star: Jack Draper. The 23-year-old Brit, who has quietly climbed the rankings this season, earned high praise from the Italian during a post-match interview in Rome.
Sinner and Draper’s connection runs deeper than casual admiration. The pair trained together in Monaco ahead of Sinner’s return to competition, with Draper offering crucial support during the latter’s suspension.
“His support meant so much to me,” Sinner admitted, emphasizing their growing friendship. But it’s Draper’s on-court resilience that truly caught Jannik Sinner’s attention.
“He’s one of the best players, maybe the most consistent we’ve had this season,” Sinner declared. “He keeps showing up every day.”
High praise from a player who knows a thing or two about consistency—Sinner himself held the No. 1 ranking for 28 weeks before his hiatus.
Jack Draper’s 2025 campaign backs up the hype. The left-hander has notched wins over top-tier opponents, including a gritty run to the Italian Open’s fourth round (where he toppled Luciano Darderi and Vit Kopriva). His ability to perform week-in, week-out—without the fanfare of Alcaraz or Zverev—has made him a dark horse in the eyes of his peers.
From training partners to mutual admiration
Sinner and Draper’s bond transcends rivalry. Both describe themselves as “humble” and “simple” off the court, traits that forged their camaraderie. “We’re very similar as people,” Sinner noted, highlighting their shared focus on improvement and sportsmanship.
Draper’s rise hasn’t been overnight. Long touted as a future star, he struggled with injuries early in his career. But 2025 has been a breakout year, with the Brit refining his explosive serve and clutch baseline play. Jannik Sinner, who’s faced Jack Draper in practice sessions, sees him as a blueprint for resilience:
“I’ve always been his biggest fan.”
What does this mean for Sinner’s comeback?
While Sinner’s endorsement of Draper dominates headlines, the Italian’s own journey remains under scrutiny. His suspension sidelined him during critical months, and though he’s shown flashes of brilliance in Rome—defeating Mariano Navone and Jesper De Jong—consistency has eluded him. A straight-sets loss to Francisco Cerundolo in the quarters exposed lingering rust.
Still, Sinner’s focus on Draper hints at his mindset: valuing grit over glamour. As the French Open looms, both players face pivotal moments. For Jack Draper, it’s about proving Sinner right. For Jannik Sinner, it’s about reclaiming the dominance that once made him untouchable.
One thing’s clear: In a sport obsessed with rivalries, Sinner and Draper are rewriting the script—with mutual respect at its core.