Jannik Sinner’s decision not to play the Davis Cup Finals sent shockwaves through the tennis world, with as much criticism as there was understanding.
Sinner won the Davis Cup in consecutive years with Italy in 2023 and 2024, but has opted out of the tournament for the 2025 event.
Italian tennis figures criticised Sinner, while plenty of current and former top pros stood up in defence of the star’s decision.
Sinner will now end his hectic season after the ATP Finals and Draper has given the star a vote of confidence.
- READ MORE: Fabio Fognini now reacts to Jannik Sinner’s decision not to play for Italy in the Davis Cup final
Jack Draper defends Jannik Sinner’s Davis Cup decision
As a fellow ATP top player, Draper has explained the Italian’s thought process surrounding his withdrawal from the Davis Cup.
Speaking on The Tennis Podcast, Draper explained: “Jannik this year is not playing Davis Cup. He’s probably thinking, ‘I’ve won the Davis Cup twice.
“‘This year I’ve had a long year, I’ve done well in the Grand Slams and I want to do a better pre-season, I want to improve as a player, I want to refresh.’”
Draper has been critical of the ATP Tour’s schedule, particularly their decision to lengthen some of the Masters events.
The Shanghai Masters takes place over 10 days now rather than the usual week, which some players have slammed.
Draper has played 11 tournaments in 2025, missing most of the second half of the season due to an arm injury.
Despite this, the British star will remain a top 10 player heading into the 2026 season after winning Indian Wells and reaching the final of the Madrid Open in 2025.
Jannik Sinner shares the exact time he knew he wasn’t playing the Davis Cup
Sinner might have only made his decision to skip the Davis Cup in October, but the star has revealed it’s been planned for almost an entire year.
Speaking to Sky Sports Italy, Sinner said: “In 2023, I promised Berrettini, who couldn’t play that year, that we would win the next edition together.
“I skipped Paris to arrive fresher for the Davis Cup, and we achieved the goal. When we lifted the title, I knew I wouldn’t play this year.”
Italy defeated Argentina, Australia, and the Netherlands to win the Davis Cup in front of a hometown crowd in 2024.
Berrettini and Sinner beat Botic van de Zandschulp and Tallon Griekspoor to confirm the victory for their nation.
