Carlos Alcaraz: Jannik Sinner's doping case verdict being appealed by WADA not a good sign for tennis
Carlos Alcaraz has found himself 'surprised' by the latest development in Jannik Sinner's doping controversy, with WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) appealing the previous verdict by ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) and seeking a two-year ban on the World No. 1. Sinner, in the meantime, continues to be an active part of the ATP Tour, and is currently in action at the China Open, where Alcaraz is also playing.
On Saturday, WADA announced that it was not satisfied with the verdict given by ITIA after finding Sinner tested positive for a prohibited substance named Clostebol earlier this year. Although the ITIA investigation found that the Italian's negative test came about only because of accidental exposure to the steroid, WADA did not think it was fair to let him go scot-free in the matter.
The incident first came to light prior to the beginning of the US Open, and the tennis world has since been divided over whether Sinner got special treatment from the authorities or not. The two-time Grand Slam champion, however, has continued to profess his innocence and has made it clear time and again that he is willing to cooperate with investigations.
Alcaraz, speaking to press at the China Open after sealing his spot in the quarterfinals, was asked about his thoughts on WADA's decision to appeal the initial verdict. The Spaniard was of the opinion that it was not a good sign for tennis, even if he believed fully that Sinner did not do anything wrong at the end of the day.
"Well, yeah, as you said, it's really sensitive things to Jannik and tennis in general. I mean, after everything was decide, let's say, before Cincinnati, that the ITIA said that Jannik Sinner saying he didn't do anything wrong, and now came again, it is open again. I think for tennis is not really good, not really good sign for tennis in general," Carlos Alcaraz said.
"It seems like something happen. But, you know, after one months, let's say, I thought it was closed, anything is going to happen again, Jannik is innocent, and they saw that Jannik didn't do anything wrong. So I started to thinking about it and start thinking about myself," he added.
Carlos Alcaraz also conceded that he was a little taken aback by the decision as well, as he had thought the case was closed following the ITIA ruling. Regardless, he looked forward to seeing how things turned out for his colleague.
"This month I didn't know what happen exactly. I just saw the news and it surprise 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 the next months. For sure to tennis, not a good sign," Alcaraz said.
Jannik Sinner on WADA appealing his doping verdict: "I'm very disappointed and also surprised"
Speaking at one of his own press conferences at the China Open, Jannik Sinner responded to the news that WADA had moved to have him banned from the ATP Tour. The Italian expressed surprise and disappointment, saying that he was of the opinion that the ITIA investigation had been thorough enough to dispel any doubts about the fairness of the trial.
"I'm very disappointed and also surprised of this appeal, to be honest, because we had three hearings. All three hearings came out very positively for me. You know, I was not expecting it. I knew it a couple of days ago, that they were going to appeal, that today it's going to go official," Sinner said.
Despite the off-court drama, Sinner continues to march on at the China Open and has reached the quarterfinals.