The early morning after the Australian Open final was marked by a rumor that spread like wildfire among journalists and members of the circuit. According to several sources present at Melbourne Park, a member of Novak Djokovic’s entourage would have formally requested an extraordinary anti-doping test for Carlos Alcaraz from the ITIA. The request, unexpected and full of tension, shook the halls of the tournament and opened an immediate debate about psychological pressure, rivalries and ethical limits in modern tennis.
The name that appeared on the document was Boris Bošnjaković, presented as part of the Serbian team, although Djokovic’s official representation avoided confirming it publicly. The request included references to alleged training and match videos where Alcaraz showed “out of the ordinary” speed, as well as rumors about nights out in Melbourne. None of this was verified at the time, but it was enough to activate ITIA’s emergency protocols.
A source close to the organization, who requested anonymity, explained: “When a request like this arrives, it doesn’t matter where it comes from. The procedure is clear: it is evaluated and, if it meets the minimum requirements, action is taken. In this case, it was decided to carry out the control to avoid speculation.” Thus, a few hours after the final, Alcaraz was notified and accompanied by anti-doping officials to undergo a complete test.
From the Spaniard’s entourage, the reaction was immediate. His team accepted the control without objection, convinced that transparency was the best answer. “Carlos has nothing to hide,” said a member of his staff. “He trains hard, rests when he plays and lives with discipline. Everything else is stories that someone wanted to inflate.” Still, the emotional impact was evident, especially because of the moment chosen: right after one of the most important games of his career.
Meanwhile, in the press room, contradictory versions began to circulate. Some journalists spoke of a “psychological offensive” prior to future confrontations. Others pointed to a strategy to sow doubts around the young champion. A veteran European reporter commented quietly: “This isn’t about doping. It’s about power, intimidation and who controls the story.”
The so-called “secret” began to emerge two days later, when a person linked to the ITIA revealed that the alleged video evidence did not show anything out of the ordinary. “They were normal clips: lateral runs, changes of pace, defensive hits. Exactly what any elite player does,” he explained. Regarding the accusations of late-night parties, the same source was blunt: “We found absolutely nothing to support that.”
Inside the locker room, several players expressed their discomfort with the situation. One of them, who also requested anonymity, confessed: “If we start asking for special controls every time someone plays too well, this becomes a witch hunt. Today it’s Carlos, tomorrow it could be anyone.” The general feeling was that an invisible line had been crossed, one that separates sporting competence from gratuitous suspicion.
The outcome came a few days later. The results of the anti-doping control were completely negative. Carlos Alcaraz did not present traces of prohibited substances or irregularities in his biological parameters. The news was received with relief by his team and with an uncomfortable silence on the part of those who promoted the request. According to a source close to the case, even Boris Bošnjaković would have been “surprised” by the speed and clarity of the report.
Alcaraz decided not to fuel the controversy. In a brief statement, he thanked ITIA for its professionalism and reaffirmed its commitment to fair play. “I understand that this is part of high-level sport,” he said. “But my approach remains the same: train, compete and respect my rivals.” His words were interpreted as a message of maturity, especially considering his young age.
From within the circuit, the episode left an uncomfortable lesson. A leader of a European federation summed up the situation this way: “The real problem is not anti-doping control. That’s normal. The problem is using insinuations without evidence to destabilize a rival. That damages tennis more than any result.” His words reflected the feelings of many who saw the case as a dangerous precedent.
Today, with the dust now settled, the tennis community looks forward. Carlos Alcaraz continues his calendar with the peace of mind of having passed an unexpected test, while the debate on competitive ethics remains open. What started as a rumor ended up revealing a deeper truth: in the sport’s elite, the pressure comes not only from the other side of the net, but also from the shadows that surround success.
In the end, this episode left a silent scar on the circuit. Several coaches privately agreed that rivalry should not turn into suspicion. “Beating someone starts on the court, not in the offices,” confessed an insider. A phrase that perfectly sums up the feeling of the locker room.
