Carlos Alcaraz didn't call Jannik Sinner during Italian's ban, won't tire of praising "amazing" colleague

After his Rome final victory over Jannik Sinner on Sunday, Carlos Alcaraz was asked if he reached out to his rival during the Italian’s three-month ban from the sport.

The question appeared to circle back on comments Sinner made going into his first tournament back, where he shared, "At the start of the suspension I received some surprising messages from some players, whereas there were others who I would have expected to hear from that didn't send anything. But I'm not going to name names.”

Read More: Alcaraz first player since 2023 to beat Sinner in straight sets

Alcaraz wasn’t sure if the world No. 1 had him in mind, though appreciates where his colleague was coming from.

“(Those) three months I can't feel him because I wasn't in that position. I mean, I can understand that he was surprised about some players who call him. I didn't call him. I didn't talk to him in (those) three months,” Alcaraz said following his 7-6 (5), 6-1 win.

“But it wasn't about if I was agreed or not. I mean, I was playing. I was in my feelings, as well. Honestly, I can understand him that he was surprised about some other players who didn't call him. It is in his rights to say it.”

I didn't call him. I didn't talk to him in (those) three months. But it wasn't about if I was agreed or not. I mean, I was playing. I was in my feelings, as well. Carlos Alcaraz

Alcaraz had plenty of kind words to say about Sinner during the Internazionali BNL d'Italia trophy ceremony. Taking the mic at the Foro Italico, the 22-year-old expressed pure admiration for Sinner’s runner-up effort in his return to the tour.

“I have to congratulate you because it's amazing what you have done with your team. I'm not gonna get tired of saying how amazing a person, an athlete you are. Working really hard every day to make this possible, making your people proud,” he said.

Alcaraz notched his fourth successive win over the Italian to up his series record to 7-4. The defending Roland Garros champion jumped to No. 2 in Monday’s rankings, ensuring he and Sinner will be in opposite halves of the season’s second major. Alcaraz took their Paris semifinal meeting a year ago over five sets, before coming through another decider against Alexander Zverev in the championship match. The Spaniard and Sinner are yet to clash in a major final.