The tennis world erupted on February 15 with the news of Jannik Sinner‘s doping ban. It all started with a positive test for Clostebol in March 2024. A CAS hearing was anticipated in April, but WADA’s proposal came early, raising eyebrows about fairness. Some demanded equal penalties compared to longer bans faced by players like Simona Halep. In the meantime, it’s a question mark for what his rival Carlos Alcaraz might have to say about the situation! As the only player who has been able to defeat Sinner in the last couple of months, it seems like he’s quite clear on his intentions.

Players like Nick Kyrgios and Daniil Medvedev pointed to unequal treatment. They cited longer bans for Simona Halep and others. Sinner received only three months. This sidelined him from events like the Qatar Open and the Miami Open, where he would miss defending his title from last year’s win. However, he’ll return for the 2025 French Open as his ban lasts from February 9 to May 4. However, before that other players have a chance to overtake the World No. 1.

Especially, the World No.3 Carlos, who has been noted to be Jannik’s most competent rival on the court. Their electric matches have captivated fans for a while now. But their battles will be on hold for three months. Earlier, fans hoped to see them clash at the Australian Open as Alcaraz aimed to win that major title, but things did not go according to plan. So, what’s Alcaraz’s goal during Sinner’s ban? Speaking to Sport on February 16, Alcaraz said, “Winning at least one Grand Slam and competing for the Masters 1000. Although in the end all tournaments are important and we want to win as many as possible.”

Before 2025, Alcaraz targeted Grand Slams hoping to take some pressure off the tough schedule and clinch more major titles. One big goal was the Australian Open title, but that ended in a quarterfinal loss to Novak Djokovic. When asked about specific Grand Slam goals going ahead, Alcaraz shared, “I wouldn’t mind repeating any of the three that are left. I have two at Wimbledon and one each at Roland Garros and the US Open. Whoever comes will be welcome. I hope there can be more than one.” While he’s certainly proven his dominance over these courts in the past few years, Sinner will be coming back in time for them!

The Italian’s ban ends just before the French Open, starting May 25. But does the ban affect Alacaraz? Well, as he told Sport, “The truth is that there is little to say. Whether if he is there or not does not influence us. We remain focused on what is ours and our objectives.” Seems like he’s got his priorities straight and looks forward to winning more titles either way. Alcaraz claimed Sinner’s crown at the 2025 Rotterdam Open, but he’s not stopping there. Their H2H stands at 4-6, with Sinner still holding the No.1 spot with 11,330 points, while Alcaraz is No.3 with 7,410. Despite his success, Alcaraz is focused on improving his game, as noted by his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero. Let’s look into the pro’s perspective.

Alcaraz’s coach points out the Spaniard’s shortcomings

As the 2025 season unfolds, the Spaniard’s journey remains a mixed bag. He faced a quarterfinal exit at the Australian Open, falling to Novak Djokovic, but quickly bounced back by claiming the Rotterdam title shortly after. His coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, acknowledges Alcaraz’s immense talent but emphasizes that talent alone won’t cut it at this level. “At 21, there is always room for improvement. Carlos is a very talented player but it is obvious that he still has a lot to improve, mentally and in terms of consistency in matches. And that is what is good: we have a motivation and very clear objectives of which he is aware,” Ferrero stated during a talk with Marca. This focus on mental fortitude and consistency is crucial as Alcaraz aims to elevate his game.

Ferrero has pinpointed areas for improvement. “His ups and downs on the court are something we need to work on, Often, they stem from mental factors like motivation and freshness. Our goal is to ensure he brings his best tennis to every event,” he noted. Carlos Alcaraz had a whirlwind of a season in 2024, winning two Grand Slam titles but struggling to surpass World No. 2 Alexander Zverev in the rankings. Alcaraz’s inconsistency, especially in Masters 1000 tournaments with a 76.1% win rate, held him back. Early exits at key events like the Miami and Madrid Open last year didn’t help his cause.

While he never seemed to be in a prolonged slump, he still didn’t dominate the tour like Jannik Sinner. The Italian truly reigned, clinching eight titles, including two Grand Slams. Even more astonishing? All this happened while he was dealing with a doping controversy looming over his head.  However, with dedication and professionalism evident in Alcaraz’s approach, it’s curious to see if he can come back stronger than ever when the clay season kicks off! What do you think? Share your thoughts below!