(Beijing) Carlos Alcaraz declared on Saturday in Beijing that he felt “pain” for Jannik Sinner, even if he recognizes that the doping affair involving the world No.1 “is not really good” for the tennis.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced on Saturday that it had appealed Sinner’s case, cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after he tested positive twice in March for clostebol, a substance prohibited. WADA requests “a suspension of one to two years” of the Italian player.
“It’s difficult for him. I know everyone is talking about it, the media is talking about it […] I don’t know how that’s possible, but I understand his position. I feel sorry for him,” said the Spaniard, world No.3, after his victory over the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-1, 6.2 in 8e final of the Beijing tournament.
PHOTO KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jannik Sinner
“The game and the level he’s playing at with everything he’s been through right now, it’s crazy. I hope this problem will be resolved soon and he can concentrate on what he loves, which is playing tennis and trying to continue to improve,” added the winner of four Grand Prix tournaments. Chelem about his Italian rival, also qualified for the quarters in Beijing.
The Spaniard, however, believes that this affair “is not really good for tennis. This is not a good signal for tennis in general.”
Sinner reacted to WADA’s call on Saturday by saying he was “very disappointed and also surprised”. His explanation to Itia was that he had been accidentally contaminated by a spray used by a member of his team.