Beijing, China – Carlos Alcaraz said in Beijing on Saturday that he felt “pain” for Jannik Sinner, even though he acknowledged that the doping case involving the world No. 1 “is not really good” for him. Tennis.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced on Saturday that it had appealed the case of Sinner, cleared by the International Agency for Tennis Integrity (Itia) after having 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 the round of 16 of the Beijing tournament.
“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.
