Carlos Alcaraz has made his feelings clear on Jannik Sinner's doping ban ahead of Wimbledon final
Carlos Alcaraz has already spoken out on Jannik Sinner's controversial doping ban as the pair prepare to face each other in the Wimbledon men's singles final.
World number one, Sinner, will take on second in the world Alcaraz in a mouth-watering contest on centre court on Sunday.
Alcaraz is looking to win his third straight Wimbledon title, having defeated Novak Djokovic in the 2023 and 2024 finals.
Sinner, meanwhile, is hoping to win Wimbledon for the very first time, having lost to Daniil Medvedev at the quarter-final stage last year.
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Three-time Grand Slam winner Sinner is also looking to win his first major tournament since returning from a controversial three-month doping ban earlier this year.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) found Sinner was inadvertently contaminated with the banned substance clostebol by his physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi during a massage in March, 2024.
Clostebol is a steroid that can be potentially used to build muscle mass.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) initially sought a ban of up to two years.
However, WADA reached a settlement with Sinner after accepting the Italian was inadvertently contaminated by the banned substance and "did not intend to cheat".
The length of Sinner's ban caused major controversy, with current and former players criticising the decision.
Switzerland's three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka was particularly vocal, posting on X: "I don't believe in a clean sport any more..."
What has Carlos Alcaraz said about Jannik Sinner's doping ban?
Alcaraz first commented on Sinner's positive test ahead of the US Open in 2024.
"I believe there's something behind all of this that many people don't know, including myself. It's very hard to talk about it," said Alcaraz.
"He tested positive, but there must be a reason why they let him keep playing that we're unaware of. I believe in clean sport."
After beating Sinner in the final of his home Italian Open in May following his return to tennis, Alcaraz commented on the ban and welcomed his opponent back to the tour.
"(Those) three months, I can't feel him because I wasn't in that position," Alcaraz said, following his 7-6, 6-1 win in Italy.
"I mean, I can understand that he was surprised about some players who call him. I didn't call him. I didn't talk to him in (those) three months.
"But it wasn't about if I was agreed or not. I mean, I was playing. I was in my feelings, as well. Honestly, I can understand him that he was surprised about some other players who didn't call him. It is in his rights to say it."
Alcaraz added: "I have to congratulate you because it's amazing what you have done with your team.
"I'm not gonna get tired of saying how amazing a person, an athlete, you are. Working really hard every day to make this possible, making your people proud."
What has Jannik Sinner said about his doping ban?
Sinner has previously stated that his three-month ban left him feeling "lost" and "confused" about his future in the sport.
"At the start I was a bit confused because I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do," Sinner ahead of the Italian Open.
"Then I went home and stayed with my family. I tried to understand better what was important to me.
"I know how many sacrifices I made and my daily routine was always practice, practice, practice. But at that moment I didn't have any of that.
"I came to understand that what's important to me are the people by your side. That they give you the strength to move forward and continue smiling."
Topics: Carlos Alcaraz, Tennis, Wimbledon, Jannik Sinner
Rory O'Callaghan