Carlos Alcaraz admits he “feels” for Jannik Sinner after the doping case against the world No 1 was re-opened, adding that the saga is “not a good sign” for tennis.
Just over a month after Sinner was cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) of any wrongdoing after he failed two drug tests earlier in the year, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) lodged an appeal against the decision.
Back in August, the ITIA found that the Italian to bear “no fault or negligence” after he twice tested positive for clostebol as they accepted Sinner’s explanation that “the substance had entered their system as a result of contamination from a support team member.
The “support team member” was Giacomo Naldi and Sinner has since parted company with the physiotherapist with many believing that was the end of the case.
However, WADA has appealed the original ITIA ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as they believe the finding of “no fault or negligence” was not correct, adding they will seek a ban of between one and two years.
Sinner was naturally taken aback by the news as he insisted “I have nothing to hide” and vowed to “prove my innocence once again”.
Four-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz admits he also thought the case “was closed” as he conceded it is bad news for tennis.
I think for tennis it’s not really good, not really a good sign for tennis in general. I thought it was closed. This month I didn’t know what happened exactly,” the Spaniard said.
“I just saw the news and it surprised me a little bit. Okay, what’s going on, that the case is open again? I don’t know how it’s going to be in the next few months. For sure, to tennis, not a good sign.
But the 21-year-old also has a lot of sympathy for Sinner as he once again expressed how impressed he has been with the Italian’s ability to continue playing at a high level despite the ongoing saga.
“I know that it is a very difficult point. It is difficult for him. I know everyone is talking about it, the news is talking about it,” the reigning world No 3 said.
Probably, as he said before New York, people started to look at him in a different way. I don’t know how it can be, but for sure I understand the position. I feel [for] him.
“The game and the level that he’s playing with everything he’s been through right now, it’s insane. He is able to put all things aside when he steps on court, playing good tennis, [it] is unbelievable.
“I hope that this thing… will be aside soon and he’s able to stay focused on what he loves, and that is playing tennis, trying to keep going.
“I hope that with his people around, his close people and him, [he] is not going to feel bad these next few months.”
