Rafael Nadal lauds Jannik Sinner for keeping focus amid doping ordeal, also praises Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek as next generation

Rafael Nadal was a guest on the Served with Andy Roddick Podcast this past Tuesday and as expected he was asked about the next generation during his chat with his fellow former World No.1. He lauded Jannik Sinner's handling of the doping ordeal.

Nadal in particular threw praise behind two players including the player who he is often compared to in Carlos Alcaraz and in particular drew on his character and what he is like as a person.

He reserved the same praise for Iga Swiatek who has long lauded Nadal as her hero and follows a similar path in being on top of women's tennis at a young age like Sinner and Alcaraz in the men's game. But when it comes to Sinner, he said that he doesn't know he managed to handle everything that went on last year.

Read also

ATP Race to Turin: Jannik Sinner holds firm as Tommy Paul breaks into ATP Finals qualification zone

In particular his doping ordeal which saw the World No.1 finally take a retrospective ban this past month. He will now be out until at least Rome in May in a move which certainly polarised tennis fans and those such as Nick Kyrgios who didn't like the handling of the situation in the first place.

But Nadal wasn't in no mood to berate Sinner and instead praised the Italian as well as Alcaraz and Swiatek for anchoring the Next Gen.

“Carlos is a great kid,” Nadal, who played doubles with the 21-year-old at the Olympics last year, said. “Great guy with a very good family behind him, with positive values. Humble. They’re good people. That’s why I think Carlos is how he is. Because in the end, the values you receive at home, the way you’re educated is the way that you show up. I see the same with Iga.

“Jannik is another good guy. Not much of a show off. He’s focused on what he’s doing. Of course, he went through a very tough process the last year. It’s amazing the way he was able to keep being focused on what he’s doing.

“It’s a new generation of great tennis players. I think they’re going to keep helping this beautiful sport to grow and to engage fans.”

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Unlock your ultimate tennis experience—subscribe today for exclusive access to top stories.

Subscribe