The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has launched an appeal against the International Tennis Integrity Agency's(ITIA) decision to clear the world number one after he tested positive for the banned substance clostebol earlier this year and Alcaraz has expressed sympathy for his Italian rival.

Asked about the developments at the China Open, the four-time major champion said: "It is difficult for him. I know everyone is talking about it, the news is talking about it.

"Probably, as he said before New York (US Open), people started to look at him in a different way. I don't know how it can be, but for sure I understand the position. I feel (for) him.

"But anyway, the game and the level that he's playing with everything he's been through right now, it's insane.

"I hope that this thing... will be aside soon and he's able to stay focused on what he loves, and that is playing tennis, trying to keep going."

WADA have called for Sinner to be suspended from tennis for one to two years and Alcaraz thinks that the confusion over the case does not reflect well on the sport.

The Spaniard said: "I think for tennis it's not really good, not really a good sign for tennis in general. I thought it was closed. This month I didn’t know what happened exactly.

"I just saw the news and it surprised me a little bit. Okay, what’s going on, that the case is open again? I don’t know how it’s going to be the next months. For sure, to tennis, not a good sign."