**Carlos Alcaraz Addresses Not Contacting Jannik Sinner After Italian Open Victory**
Following his commanding 7-6(5), 6-1 victory over Jannik Sinner in the Italian Open final on May 18, 2025, Carlos Alcaraz clarified why he did not reach out to Sinner during or after the Italian’s three-month doping ban, addressing Sinner’s expressed disappointment about a lack of support from peers. In a post-match press conference, Alcaraz explained, “I didn’t send Jannik a message during his ban. I saw him as a rival, and I was focusing on my own game. But I’m happy to see him back at this level,” as reported by Sportskeeda. This response came after Sinner, who returned from a February-to-May 2025 suspension for testing positive for Clostebol, noted in Rome that he was surprised by some players’ silence during his ordeal, per ESPN.[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-carlos-alcaraz-reveals-contact-jannik-sinner-3-month-doping-ban-responds-italian-s-grievances)
Alcaraz’s remarks, highlighted by @MirrorSport on X, stirred mixed reactions. Some fans, like @AndreaUrso66 on X, criticized Alcaraz for prioritizing competition over camaraderie, calling it “cold,” while others, like @Certinfy, praised his honesty, viewing it as a reflection of their intense rivalry. Alcaraz did express admiration for Sinner’s resilience, calling his run to the final “insane” for a first tournament back, per The Tennis Gazette. He also acknowledged Sinner’s physical struggles in the match, noting his foot blister impacted his performance, per The Tennis Gazette.[](https://www.thetennisgazette.com/news/carlos-alcaraz-claims-jannik-sinner-has-done-something-insane-after-beating-him-in-the-italian-open-final/)[](https://www.thetennisgazette.com/news/what-carlos-alcaraz-heard-jannik-sinner-saying-before-the-italian-open-final-which-he-used-to-his-advantage-i-have-been-watching/)
The doping saga, settled with WADA after an initial ITIA exoneration, left Sinner feeling isolated, per Sky Sports. Alcaraz’s decision not to contact him, as he admitted, was driven by a competitive mindset, not personal animosity, and he emphasized his excitement for Sinner’s return, per The Express. With their head-to-head now at 7-4 in Alcaraz’s favor, per Reddit, the Rome triumph and Alcaraz’s candid explanation underscore their fierce rivalry as they head toward Roland Garros.[](https://www.the-express.com/sport/tennis/171223/carlos-alcaraz-jannik-sinner-italian-open
