Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Tennis
Luke Davies
French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz has already made his feelings clear on Jannik Sinner following the Italian’s drug ban.
Sinner, 23, was handed a three-month doping ban in February 2025, following two positive tests in 2024.
As reported by BBC Sport in August of that year, Sinner “tested positive for low levels of a metabolite of clostebol - a steroid that can be used to build muscle mass”.
A further sample was taken eight days later, which returned a similar result.
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The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) found that Sinner was contaminated with the substance by his physiotherapist, after he had been applying an over-the-counter spray in Italy to a cut in his own hand before carrying out treatments on the tennis star.
The ITIA accepted the explanation.
However, despite the complex nature of the case, the idea of being a ‘drug cheat’ is not something one can shake easily, especially among fellow professionals.
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Sinner returned to action at the Italian Open in May but really returned to the spotlight at the French Open.
On Sunday (June 8), Alcaraz became a five-time Grand Slam champion at the age of 22, beating Sinner in a gruelling French Open final.
So, what does he think of Sinner?
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Alcaraz made his feelings clear on Sinner after beating the Italian in the Italian Open final in May.
“(Those) three months, I can't feel him because I wasn't in that position," Alcaraz said following his 7-6 (5), 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.”
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He 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."
Following the French Open final on Sunday, Alcaraz praised his opponent, he said: "I'm delighted to be able to make history with you.
"You're a great inspiration."
Sinner also had his say shortly after the match.
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The Italian said: "First of all, congratulations Carlos [Alcaraz]. It was an amazing performance from you again. It was an amazing battle. Congratulations to you and your team, you did an amazing job. I'm very happy for you. You deserve it so congratulations.
"It is easier to play than to talk right now. Thank you so much to my team for helping me put myself in this position. We tried our best today. We gave everything we had. Some time ago, we would have loved to be here so it's still been an amazing tournament.
"Even though it is very difficult right now, it is okay. It is a big privilege for me to be here and to play here. For me, Paris is a really special place. I have achieved many great things here. I'm still happy with this one. It is an amazing trophy.
"I won't sleep very well tonight but it is okay."