Carlos Alcaraz praises Jannik Sinner's humility & character amid ongoing doping saga after taking down Italian in China Open final
Carlos Alcaraz got the better of Jannik Sinner for the third time this year as he defeated the Italian in the 2024 China Open final. The Spaniard was all praises for his rival after their enthralling encounter as he talked about Sinner's resilience and character amidst the doping controversy.
Alcaraz and Sinner faced off twice before the China Open final this year and the pair went the distance in both matches. The only two ATP singles Grand Slam winners of 2024 put on another extraordinary show in Beijing.
Sinner bagged the first set via a tiebreaker but Alcaraz mounted a comeback to win the second set. The deciding set also went into a tiebreaker but this time it was the Spaniard who clinched it and pulled off a 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) victory.
In the post-match interview, Alcaraz opened up about the respect he has for Sinner. He praised the Italian for his resilience and hard work.
“I’d like to start with Jannik. What can I say about you. The year you’re having is unbelievable. You deserve it.. with your team and the work you put every day... You’re really really humble. That makes you an even better success," Carlos Alcaraz said.
"During your whole career and this year, I’d like to congratulate you and your team for great work and great tennis you’re playing. For me, even more important, you and the people around you are great people. I respect you a lot as a player but even more as a person,” he added.
Earlier this year, Sinner tested positive for a banned substance (Clostebol) twice, and the news broke just before the US Open. The ITIA had cleared him of any wrongdoing. However, critics continued to question him but Sinner remained focused and won the US Open.
At the China Open, Sinner faced more pressure when WADA announced an appeal against the ITIA's decision, seeking a two-year ban. The Italian wasn't deterred as he won every match until his loss to Alcaraz in the final in Beijing.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner set to play at the Shanghai Masters 2024 next
Up next for the World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz is the 2024 Shanghai Masters. The pair received a bye in the first round owing to their seedings.
In the second round, Sinner will take on Japan's Taro Daniel and Alcaraz will face China's Juncheng Shang.
In the ATP Race to Turin, Alcaraz now occupies the second spot after his win over Sinner in the China Open final. The Spaniard has racked up 6,510 points but is still far away from the Italian who tops the rankings with 9,330 points. Alexander Zverev occupies the third spot with 6,115 points.