sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Carlos Alcaraz has made his feelings clear on Jannik Sinner's doping ban ahead of Wimbledon final

Home> Tennis

Updated 17:13 19 Sep 2025 GMT+1Published 12:00 13 Jul 2025 GMT+1

Carlos Alcaraz has made his feelings clear on Jannik Sinner's doping ban ahead of Wimbledon final

Sinner served a controversial three-month doping ban earlier this year.

Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

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.

Advert

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.

Sinner served a three-month doping suspension (Image: Getty)
Sinner served a three-month doping suspension (Image: Getty)

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.

Alcaraz and Sinner at the Italian Open (Image: Getty)
Alcaraz and Sinner at the Italian Open (Image: Getty)

"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."

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Carlos Alcaraz, Tennis, Wimbledon, Jannik Sinner

Rory O'Callaghan
Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA.

X

@rory_ocallaghan

Recommended reads

Dennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeGettyRanking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

12 hours ago
a day ago
2 days ago
4 days ago
  • Mike Marsland/WireImage
    12 hours ago

    Tennis crew caught discussing Carol Vorderman's 'open relationship with six guys' on open mic

    The members of the broadcast team were 'mortified' after learning the conversation was live on air.

    Tennis
  • Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images)
    a day ago

    Carlos Alcaraz makes devastating announcement in urgent press conference

    The world no.2 has made a major announcement following his win at the Barcelona Open.

    Tennis
  • Getty Images
    2 days ago

    Six-time ATP title winner tumbles 51 places down rankings following Munich nightmare

    A six-time ATP title winner has fallen 51 places in the rankings after crashing out in the Munich Open.

    Tennis
  • Getty Images
    4 days ago

    Andy Murray explains how Jannik Sinner was able to beat Carlos Alcaraz in Monte-Carlo Masters

    Andy Murray took to social media to explain how Jannik Sinner was able to beat Carlos Alcaraz in Monte-Carlo Masters.

    Tennis
  • Wimbledon final umpire was sacked after calling for three rule changes in the sport
  • Wimbledon trophy includes hidden detail that no holder has managed to figure out yet
  • Carlos Alcaraz had the whole of Wimbledon laughing with response to question about Andy Murray
  • British tennis player Oliver Tarvet banned from collecting Wimbledon prize money if he beats Carlos Alcaraz