Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner both played their parts in one of 2024’s best finals yesterday, enthralling in the showpiece final of the China Open.
Even though they were only fighting for an ATP 500 crown, it was still a hotly contested affair, in which the Spaniard came out on top for the third time this year.
However, even though the match was a true spectacle, there remained an element of frustration over how it remains marred by Sinner’s ongoing drugs case.
Brad Gilbert reacts to Jannik Sinner’s China Open loss to Carlos Alcaraz
Just after Chris Evert reacted to Alcaraz beating Sinner in the China Open final, revered coach Brad Gilbert was next up to offer his summation of the clash.
And, he was far less partisan in his assessment, actually using his platform to take aim at WADA For their treatment of the latter player.
He wrote: ‘After 20 years of amazing matches from the big 3 didn’t think it was possible this soon to have another amazing rivalry, Escape from Alcaraz vs Sin City is the gold standard in tennis. Here’s to the next 10 years of these 2 with tons of great matches, hopefully Wada doesn’t mess it up.’
Novak Djokovic has also condemned tennis’ governing bodies for their treatment of Sinner, to further emphasise this point.
Brad Gilbert still out of work since Coco Gauff split
Although he remains a leading voice in the tennis community, using his platforms on social media and TV to continue expressing his opinion on the sport, the American remains without a coaching job.
After all, Coco Gauff and Brad Gilbert split just after the US Open, with the 20-year-old enduring a disappointing defence of her crown as Emma Navarro dumped her out in the Round of 16.
It was a move that had not shocked many, with the youngster’s form having dipped ever since she failed to capitalise on a heavily weakened field at Wimbledon.
Andy Roddick rated Gilbert’s time as Gauff’s coach as a great success, and having won the 2023 US Open and reached a career-high of second in the world, few would disagree.
It will be interesting to see where this legendary coach goes next, having already enjoyed a storied career alongside other greats like Andy Roddick, Andy Murray and Andre Agassi.
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