An unprecedented drama has rocked Roland-Garros 2025! Carlos Alcaraz, after winning the final against Jannik Sinner, made a sensational accusation during the awards ceremony, shouting that the Italian number one had a “sudden increase in energy” after drinking from a bottle of water, suggesting the use of doping substances. His request for an immediate check-up led to an emergency test, and the results left the organizers and the public astonished. Here’s what happened on this day that shook the world of tennis.
Alcaraz’s explosive accusation
The final, played yesterday at Philippe-Chatrier, ended with a 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 victory for Alcaraz after an epic match lasting more than five hours, with Sinner pushing the Spaniard to his limits. However, the highlight came at the awards ceremony, when a visibly agitated Alcaraz interrupted his acceptance speech. “I saw Jannik drinking from that bottle and then he had a sudden recovery. I almost lost because of that,” he said, pointing at Sinner’s water bottle. “I ask for a test immediately, this can’t be normal!”
The accusation reignited controversy over Sinner’s 2024 doping ban, when traces of a contaminant were found in his system, a case later dismissed as unintentional. Cameras caught Sinner drinking during the fourth set, a moment Alcaraz interpreted as suspicious, fueling his words: “I don’t want easy victories, I want clarity.”
The test and the shock
Alcaraz’s request prompted organizers to order an emergency doping test, despite protests from Sinner, who called the accusation “unacceptable and unfounded.” The visibly shaken Italian champion accepted the test to defend his integrity, while the Chatrier crowd roared. After hours of waiting, the results were announced this morning: all negative, with no trace of prohibited substances.
However, the real shocker came with the revelation that the bottle contained a legal energy supplement, provided by Sinner’s staff to combat dehydration during the match. “It was a misunderstanding,” admitted a spokesperson for the FFT (French Tennis Federation), “but Alcaraz’s reaction embarrassed everyone.” The organizers, who initially supported the test, remained silent, with some members visibly uncomfortable in front of the cameras.
Mixed reactions
Sinner, while disappointed by the defeat, responded with dignity: “I’m sorry that Carlos thought that. I’ve always played clean, and the results confirm it. Now I just want to look forward.” His composure earned the admiration of fans, with comments about X such as “Jannik is a gentleman, Alcaraz exaggerated” and “An accusation like that without evidence is unfair.”
Alcaraz, for his part, partially apologized after the results: “I acted to protect tennis, but I was wrong. I apologize to Jannik.” However, his outburst has left a trail, with some accusing him of looking for an excuse to justify his fatigue in the match. Novak Djokovic, who was present as a spectator, commented: “It was a bad moment, but tennis needs transparency.”
A controversial legacy
This episode has stained the Roland-Garros 2025 final, turning a sporting battle into a media drama. While Alcaraz celebrates his title, the accusation and the test have cast a shadow over both players. For Sinner, the moral victory of having passed the test may strengthen his reputation, but the initial suspicion has left its mark. The organizers, with their tails between their legs, are reviewing the protocols to avoid future controversies, while the tennis world wonders how to heal this wound.
