Jannik Sinner was honest about the tough months he went through after being banned for doping. “I received messages from players I didn’t expect and I didn’t receive anything from others I could expect something from,” said the world number one in his first press conference at the Masters 1,000 in Rome.
Words that have hit the circuit and have led to questions about them being asked to Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard,the transalpine’s rival in Sunday’s final, tried to explain his particular situation. “I haven’t spoken to him during his disqualification. Everyone looks out for themselves. We are not very close. In the end we are also rivals and I can’t have a close friendship with a person I want to beat,” said the Spaniard.
However, Carlitos was keen to make it clear that he has a “very good relationship” with Sinner off the court. “I have great respect for him. What he is doing now after being out for three months is incredible. I was very happy to see him back on the circuit. It’s normal for him to feel disappointed. But it is what it is.”
The last three, for Carlitos
At 11:00 am (East Coast Time) Sinner and Alcaraz will take to the center court at the Foro Italico in Rome to face each other again. So far, the balance between the two is favorable to the Spaniard with a close 6-4. In fact, the last three duels went Carlitos’ way.
On clay, they have met twice with one victory for each. In 2022 Sinner won the final in Umag, while Alcaraz defeated the Italian in the semifinals at Roland Garros last season
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