Carlos Alcaraz reveals he didn’t contact Jannik Sinner during 3-month doping ban as he responds to Italian’s grievances
**Carlos Alcaraz Addresses Not Contacting Jannik Sinner During Doping Ban**
Carlos Alcaraz, the World No. 3, revealed he did not reach out to Jannik Sinner during the Italian’s three-month doping ban, responding to Sinner’s comments about feeling unsupported by some ATP peers. In a press conference following his 7-6(5), 6-1 victory over Sinner in the Italian Open final on May 18, 2025, 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 TennisWorldUSA.com. The statement, shared by @Tennis_Updates5 on X, addressed Sinner’s earlier remarks, per ESPN, where he expressed surprise at the lack of support from some players during his suspension.
Sinner, returning from a ban for testing positive for Clostebol, reached the Rome final in his first tournament back, a feat Alcaraz praised, saying, “I can’t imagine how tough these three months were for you,” per @sportzfirst1 on X. However, Alcaraz’s admission sparked polarized reactions. Some X users, like @AndreaUrso66, criticized him for lacking sportsmanship, arguing his focus on rivalry over camaraderie was “disappointing.” Others, such as @Certinfy, lauded Alcaraz’s honesty, viewing it as a bold stance against Sinner and the doping controversy’s handling by the ATP and WADA.
The ban, settled with WADA after an initial exoneration by the ITIA, ran from February 9 to May 4, 2025, causing Sinner to miss six events but no Grand Slams, per The Athletic. Sinner’s comments about feeling “lost and confused,” per Sky Sports, and his revelation that some players’ silence hurt, per Sportskeeda, framed Alcaraz’s response as significant. While Alcaraz leads their head-to-head 7-4, per The Associated Press, his decision not to contact Sinner reflects a competitive mindset, though it fueled debate about professional courtesy in tennis.[
As both prepare for Roland Garros, Alcaraz’s candidness contrasts with Sinner’s call for support, highlighting their intense rivalry and differing approaches to the doping saga’s fallout.
