Carlos Alcaraz sympathizes with Jannik Sinner after the World Anti-Doping Company (WADA) referred to as for the World No. 1 to be banned “between one and two years” for failing two drug checks earlier this yr.
But, the Spaniard admits his rival being concerned in a doping row is “not a superb signal” for the game of tennis.
After his dominant win over Tallon Griekspoor within the China Open on Sunday, Alcaraz recalled being in New York for the U.S. Open when information first broke of Sinner testing optimistic for a steroid in March 2024. Alcaraz famous that everybody began to view Sinner “in a different way” even because the Italian was cleared by the ITIA after a tribunal decided he was by accident contaminated with the steroid by his physio.
“I believe for tennis it is not likely good, not likely a superb signal for tennis typically,” Alcaraz stated, via EuroSport. “I assumed it [the doping case] was closed. This month I did not know what occurred precisely. I simply noticed the information and it shocked me somewhat bit. Okay, what is going on on, that the case is open once more? I do not understand how it should be the subsequent [few] months. For certain, to tennis, not a superb signal.”
Alcaraz hoped for Sinner’s sake that the doping case can be closed quickly so he might “concentrate on what he loves,” which is enjoying tennis on the highest degree.
Within the aftermath of WADA interesting Sinner’s case with the Court docket of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the 23-year-old Italian issued a statement expressing shock and disappointment on the flip of occasions. Whereas vowing to battle for his innocence, Sinner highlighted how he was cleared by the ITIA and the Italian anti-doping authority after months of investigations culminated in three judges scrutinizing his case.
Sinner questioned “what shall be gained” by WADA asking a distinct set of judges to “have a look at the identical info and documentation” when he was beforehand cleared by different judges.
The Italian will face Czechia’s Jiri Lehecka within the quarterfinal of the China Open on Monday. Regardless of the doping row, he has maintained a relaxed disposition in his matches and information conferences.
