In the latest episode of Andy Roddick's podcast Served with, John McEnroe expressed his opinion on the thorny Jannik Sinner's doping issue.
As everyone knows by now, the Italian is awaiting the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport on a possible disqualification following the positive Clostebol found in March at the Indian Wells tournament.
The ATP No.1, acquitted by the ITIA, could serve a disqualification after the 2025 Australian Open, following the appeal of the World Anti-Doping Agency WADA to the CAS.
"I am on the side of those who are willing to accept his explanation. My attitude is to believe the player. I want to believe the player. At the US Open they clearly explained to us that there was a millionth of something in him, I don't know exactly but it really seems like nothing. I just hope that this fact is something that doesn't create serious problems for our sport," explained the 7-time Grand Slam champion.
In this off-season period without tennis played - apart from the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah - the main topics of discussion in the world of tennis by commentators are two: how the relationship between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will work and how the Sinner doping affair will end, with many personalities from the world of tennis from the past or present who have already expressed themselves over the weeks.
In the same episode of Roddick's podcast, McEnroe also talked about Carlitos Alcaraz, saying he is worried about the young Spaniard, especially his height.
"I am worried about Alcaraz because he is 6'1" and the other players will drive him crazy. He will be frustrated because he will be playing guys who serve like a mountain," said the American legend, who explained that in his opinion the height advantage that some of his rivals have over him could be a factor in his long game.
Carlitos has already achieved impressive results at 21, having already won four Grand Slams and will be looking to complete the Career Grand Slam in Australia, but McEnroe thinks the young Spaniard will have a difficult task to stay at the top, as his closest rivals all have a height advantage over him. This, for John, could allow them to overtake him on days when he is not at his best.
"This guy is the greatest talent I've seen in the last 20 years and he's the best to watch, my favorite right now. He can do everything and he does it very well. It seems almost impossible that he is so positive every week, that he can win so often at that age. His rivals are all so tall and don't have his explosive speed but I fear that when he plays with these guys who serve from a mountain he will feel frustrated. That's what happened at the end of last year. I hope I'm wrong about Alcaraz but I don't know if he can continue like this," added McEnroe.
