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In an exclusive interview with CNN’s Amanda Davies at the Laureus World Sports Awards, Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal says he completely trusts that world No. 1 Jannik Sinner is innocent, as the Italian prepares to return from a doping suspension.

The saga around Sinner has shone the spotlight on the current anti-doping protocols in tennis, with several players raising concerns about possible preferential treatment for the top stars. Nadal tells Davies, "The saga around Sinner has shone the spotlight on the current anti-doping protocols in tennis, with several players raising concerns about possible preferential treatment for the top stars."

The 22-time grand slam singles champion retired from tennis last year, and reflects on the legacy he left behind, "Of course, I will be remembered as a good tennis player, but for me, it’s important to be remembered as a good person, a player who fights as hard as possible but with positive values, being always fair and correct with everyone on court."

Key Quotes from Nadal

On whether he believes the currently suspended Jannik Sinner is innocent following his doping suspension:

"I don’t have a clear opinion, first of all, because I don’t have the whole information. First of all, I 100% believe that Jannik is innocent. I don’t think at all that Jannik wanted to do something that is not allowed, so I 100% believe in Jannik. Second, talking about all the process… As I said, for me, I believe in justice. For some reason we have the justice there that they have to make the decisions. They have all the information that probably no one of us have and they make the decisions. From my point of view, I really don’t believe that Jannik, because he’s the No. 1 in the world, received different treatment than another person, from my perspective and from my understanding. That’s what I can say.

On whether what treatment he hopes Jannik Sinner will receive when he returns for the French Open:

"At the end it’s the justice that said that he can play the French (Open). If they thought that that’s the way to proceed then I respect that so I don’t think we have to analyse another way. You can analyse all the process… or if want to think about if you need to change things then ‘Ok’ I’m always open to talk about changing things for better but in terms of thinking Jannik needs to be supported of playing the French Open from when you can play the French Open, why?

On the rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz and how it compares with the era of the ‘Big Three’:

"(The rivalry) It’s already there. Last year… Two Grand Slams for each. Of course if they can bring their rivalry to the next level in terms of fighting for the most important titles for a long period of time that will be great news for tennis. It’s going to be another interesting rivalry between two great players and that’s going to be great for our sport. We don’t need to put this pressure on about thinking that they have to follow our numbers or not. Let them play and then at the end of their careers we’re going to see where they are."

On comparisons with him and rising star Carlos Alcaraz and the pressure on Alcaraz:

"It’s normal. All of us received the pressure from the media and from the hope that people have about you, but I think at the end, we are humans and we know how to handle that. I don’t think for Carlos it’s a big deal holding that pressure. He’s a great player and has a great family behind (him). I think he’s doing great and he’s having an amazing career and he’s going to win much more if he stays out of injury – that’s the most important thing. I wish and I really believe that he’s going to have one of the best careers of all time."

On whether he’d follow Andy Murray and go into tennis coaching:

"In this life you can never say never. It’s difficult to imagine myself now doing this kind of thing … That’s something private (on whether he’s received any calls). It’s not my moment, at all. I am in a different moment of my life and I don’t see myself traveling now with a player, spending more time outside of home in this moment of my life but, of course, always open to talk with players if they have any doubt. Happy to help."

On his decision to retire:

"I started practising as a professional since I was 8 years old so, you know, when you take that decision you need to make sure that you are 100% convinced. What I would hate to do is announce my retirement and stay at home thinking, OK, uh, maybe I still had the chances to keep playing so I wanted to avoid that feeling so I did all what I could do since I make my final decision to keep going because mentally I was with the energy and in terms of level of tennis I think I still had the right level of tennis to keep fighting for the things that I like to fight. But then uh when I realised that my body don’t give me the chance to do what my mind say then it’s the moment that you realise that it’s not a comeback chance to make another decision so then I, I convince myself that that was the right way to finish and I did it. My body convinced my mind. I never find that uh level of feeling myself free to go for any ball and I never played the game free of limitations so when I realised that that’s never going to happen again, then it’s the moment that you know that it’s the end."

On reflecting on his 20-year career in the game:

"I had a very intense 20 years of professional tennis career but I enjoyed a lot, of course, I suffered the moments, but overall have been an amazing experience, unforgettable for me and because of tennis, I was able to enjoy things that I never could imagine."

On watching Rory McIlroy clinch The Masters title:
"I texted him before and after and I of course I received an answer from, from him. I have been super emotional. I was honestly… I was crying at home when he won. I’ve been very, very emotional and I was suffering a lot with him. He deserved it and he was playing so good and I suffered a lot last day. I honestly had the confidence all the time that he will make it happen because he deserved it first of all, and I always think that in some way there is justice and, uh, after what happened in the US Open last year."

On how he thought Rory McIlroy’s final round played out:

"I really believe that probably he (Rory McIlory) knew before the round that he going to go through all this pressure moments and the beginnings he accepted very well. I think he made a very risky shot in the 11. The mistake in the 13 shot for me that was the, the toughest moment of the round. I love Rory honestly and I love him as a sportsman and as, as a person, and I wanted him to, to win so much, so I watched it every single shot and yeah, I was very, very emotional at the end. I was so, so happy."