Over Jannik Sinner’s failed drug tests, Toni Nadal has stood up for him and said it’s unrealistic that he would act unfairly.
Nick Kyrgios called Nadal’s remarks absurd and asserted that if the renowned coach had been the Italian star’s opponent, he would not have stood up for him.
Last week, The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) made public that Sinner was spared a ban for failing two anti-doping tests in March because it was determined that he was not at fault or careless.
Some athletes have expressed dissatisfaction with the way Sinner’s case has been handled, claiming the 23-year-old has been treated differently than other athletes who have tested positive for illegal drugs.
Toni commented on the Sinner story in his column and criticized players who have stood up to him. Toni talked about it and said: “It is absolutely clear to me that the Italian player does not want to commit any infraction, and even more so, not to seek any advantage through the use of prohibited substances. I know the player well enough to be able to say without a shadow of a doubt that he is one of the most correct and well-mannered guys on the circuit. For me, it is unthinkable that he could act unfairly. There was a problem within his team that he paid for quite dearly with the financial penalty and the loss of ATP points.”
Kyrgios aimed at the Spaniard and reaffirmed his opposition to cheating in response to a post that featured quotes from Toni Nadal on X.
Kyrgios said: “If this was me do you think Toni Nadal would come out and defend me? Players know that I ain’t about cheating. Ridiculous. I’m just wondering as to why they waited five months to fire the physio. If they knew about it so early on.”
Sinner at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2024
Currently the world no.1, Jannik has achieved a 49-5 win-loss record in 2024. Sinner is currently competing at the U.S. Open where he beat the world no.140 Mackenzie Mcdonald 2-6 6-2 6-1 6-2.
Jannik Sinner will take on the world no.49 Alex Michelsen in the 2nd
round. Their current head to head is 1-0 for Sinner.The Italian conquered 5 titles in 2024 at the Australian Open, Rotterdam, Miami, Halle and Cincinnati.
The Italian won 16 titles in his career: 7 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts, 7 on indoor courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Sinner is scheduled to play next in Beijing (China Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 23rd of September.
Nick Kyrgios in 2024
Currently the world no.470, Kyrgios played his last match on the 13th of June 2023 when he surrendered to world no.416 Yibing Wu 7-5 6-3 in the 1st round in Stuttgart (draw).
This season Kyrgios achieved a compiled 0-1 win-loss record.
Jannik Sinner and Nick Kyrgios squared off only once. Their current record is 1-0 for Sinner. When they played, Jannik Sinner won 7-6(3) 6-3 in the 4th round in Miami (Miami Open) in March 2022.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.