Jannik Sinner said his work was
never-ending and congratulated Carlos Alcaraz after the Italian
world number one lost the China Open final to the Spanish world
number three in three sets and over three hours of pulsating
play on Wednesday.
"Congratulations to Carlos and his team, you are doing a great
job. I wish you the best, I hope we can face each other a couple
more times", said the 23-year-old South Tyrolean Australian Open
winner during the ATP 500 award ceremony with the 21-year-old
Spanish former US Open and two-time and reigning Wimbledon champ
in Beijing.
"Thanks to those close to me, to my team and my family, to all
those who support me daily and understand me, and sometimes it
is not easy.
"The work never ends. I am proud to be able to be in this
position, in a few days there will be a new opportunity".
Alcaraz, who won a title for the first time in China, then
returned the compliments to Sinner's team.
"You deserve all the success you are achieving in this
incredible year - the Spaniard said - I see how hard you work,
congratulations to you and your team.
"You are doing a great job and above all you are incredible
people.
"Thank you to my family and my team. I am very lucky to be able
to travel with part of my family, and to my staff. They support
me, sometimes they even tell me things I don't want to hear - he
added -. I want to thank you for all the hard work. The last two
months have not been easy, but I have managed to find joy on the
pitch, to feel motivated again. Thank you".
Meanwhile record 24 time slam winner Novak Djokovic of Serbia
said he hoped Sinner's involvement in a doping case would be
"resolved as soon as possible" for the good of the game, saying
"our system doesn't work, there are too many inconsistencies.".
Sinner twice tested positive for an anabolic steroid but was
cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency before an
appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to the Court of
Arbitration for Sport (CAS), where the Italian risks a two-year
ban if the appeal is admitted.
According to Djokovic, a record world number one and currently
world No. 4, "it must be very difficult for Sinner", whose
suspension was requested by WADA. "The level of play that Jannik
has shown since the beginning of this affair is impressive",
underlined Djokovic, who will return to the court in Shanghai
next week just over a month after being eliminated in the third
round of the US Open.
"It's clear to me that our system isn't working properly," said
the winner of 24 Grand Slam tournaments and the Olympic gold
medal in Paris, many tennis fans' GOAT.
"There are too many inconsistencies, too many governing bodies,
and the Sinner case alone doesn't give a good image of our sport
at all."
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