Alcaraz extends heat welcome to Sinner on return from doping ban: ‘Hopefully, I’ll meet him in ultimate’

Carlos Alcaraz has prolonged a heat welcome to world No.1 Jannik Sinner, who returns to tennis on Friday
after serving a three-month doping ban. Whereas Sinner has been criticised and questioned by among the tennis greats, three-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz has taken a distinct route.

“I’m actually completely satisfied to have him round once more,” Alcaraz mentioned. “Clearly for him was robust and I’m fairly certain was tremendous lengthy. … It’s nice for me, for tennis, for the followers, that he’s in a position to play a match once more.

“Hopefully. I’m going to fulfill him on the ultimate.”

Sinner’s first match will likely be in opposition to Argentina’s Mariano Navone within the Spherical of 64 on the Italian Open. Alcaraz opens in opposition to Serbian qualifier Dusan Lajovic on Friday.

Alcaraz says he’s 100% prepared for Italian Open

The 22-year-old, Alcaraz, additionally mentioned that he has recovered from the muscle accidents that compelled him to withdraw from the Madrid Open and is “100% prepared” for the Italian Open.

Alcaraz had an higher leg ailment that bothered him in the course of the Barcelona Open ultimate, plus a left leg harm.

“I’m in a good condition. I’m 100% prepared to begin the match,” Alcaraz mentioned in Rome on Thursday.

Throughout the Spaniard’s Rome debut final yr, he misplaced to then-One hundred and thirty fifth-ranked Hungarian qualifier Fabian Marozsan within the third spherical as he handled a bothersome proper forearm problem.

However Alcaraz then went on to win back-to-back Grand Slam titles on the French Open and Wimbledon.

“Final yr was much more tough,” Alcaraz mentioned, noting how this clay season he has already gained the Monte Carlo Masters and reached the ultimate in Barcelona, the place he misplaced to Holger Rune.

“I wasn’t nervous in any respect,” Alcaraz mentioned. “Proper now I’ve confidence. The practices (have gone) effectively. … I can’t anticipate tomorrow. I feel my stage is in a great spot.”

With company inputs