By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, September 30, 2024
Photo credit: BNL Internazionali d'Italia Facebook
WADA's appeal of Jannik Sinner's steroid case is not good for tennis, says Carlos Alcaraz.
Speaking to the media in Beijing, Alcaraz said the appeal is not good for the game because it creates confusion coming after the world No. 1 was initially found at "no fault" for the banned steroid clostebol in his system.
More: WADA Appeals Sinner's Doping Case, Seeks Ban for World No. 1
"I mean, after everything was decide, let's say, before Cincinnati, that the ITIA said that Jannik Sinner saying he didn't do anything wrong, and now came again, it is open again," Alcaraz said. "I think for tennis is not really good, not really good sign for tennis in general.
"It seems like something happen. But, you know, after one months, let's say, I thought it was closed, anything is going to happen again, Jannik is innocent, and they saw that Jannik didn't do anything wrong. So I started to thinking about it and start thinking about myself."
WADA is appealing Sinner's steroid case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport—and seeking a ban of one to two years for the world No. 1.
“It is WADA’s view that the finding of “no fault or negligence” was not correct under the applicable rules," WADA said in a statement on Saturday. "WADA is seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years.
"WADA is not seeking a disqualification of any results, save that which has already been imposed by the tribunal of first instance.”
Sinner said he was "very disappointed" by WADA's appeal.
“Obviously, I’m very disappointed and also surprised," Sinner told the media in Beijing. "We had three hearings.
"All three hearings came out very positively for me. Maybe they just want to make sure that everything is in the right position.”
Reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon winner Alcaraz said he's surprised by news of WADA's appeal.
"This month I didn't know what happen exactly," Alcaraz said. "I just saw the news and it surprise me a little bit. Okay, what's going on that the case is open again?
"I don't know how it's going to be the next months. For sure to tennis, not a good sign."