Four-time Grand Slam champion, Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday, September 29, revealed that the steroid case involving Jannik Sinner was "not good" for tennis but sympathized with the world number.
The World Anti-Doping Agency, WADA, announced on Saturday that it had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after Jannik Sinner was cleared of wrongdoing last month.
However, Alcaraz, the Spanish world number three, said at the China Open: "I think for tennis it's not really good, not really a good sign for tennis in general."
There has been skepticism among some players about Sinner's explanation for why he failed the two tests, but Alcaraz took a more sympathetic stance.
"It is difficult for him. I know everyone is talking about it, the news is talking about it," he said, having reached the last eight in Beijing.
"Probably as he said before New York (US Open), people started to look at him in a different way.
"I don't know how it can be, but for sure I understand the position. I feel (for) him.
"But anyway, the game and the level that he's playing with everything he's been through right now, it's insane."
Alcaraz also said: "I hope that this thing... will be aside soon and he's able to stay focused on what he loves, and that is playing tennis, trying to keep going."
Meanwhile, WADA took to their official X handle @wada_ama to post “WADA appeal case of tennis player Jannik Sinner. Read more here:” on September 28th.
The Italian world number one twice, tested positive for traces of the banned substance Clostebol in March but was exonerated and allowed to carry on playing.
Recall that Niger Delta Connect earlier reported, Sinner went on to win the US Open earlier this month for his second major crown, weeks after the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) found he "bears no fault or negligence."
The ITIA accepted his explanation that the drug entered his system when his physiotherapist used a spray containing it to treat a cut, then provided massage and sports therapy to the player.
However, WADA on Thursday appealed the high-profile case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
"It is WADA's view that the finding of 'no fault or negligence' was not correct under the applicable rules," it said in a statement on Saturday.
WADA also made the appeal announcement as Sinner was on court at the China Open, where the defending champion fought back to beat 69th-ranked Russian Roman Safiullin 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 in Beijing.
"WADA is seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years," they added.
The 23-year-old has consistently denied knowingly doping and said after his win: "Obviously I'm very disappointed and also surprised.
"We had three hearings. All three hearings came out very positively for me."
According to WADA, Clostebol is an anabolic agent prohibited at all times.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency accepted Sinner's explanation that the drug entered his system when his physiotherapist used a spray containing it to treat a cut, then provided massage and sports therapy to the player.
On the other hand, Tennis Chanel official X handle, @TennisChannel dropped a tweet at about 4:25am on September 29, a full breakdown of the Jannik Sinner WADA appeal controversy.
Moving on, Sinner is also playing in Beijing, where he faces Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic on Monday.
