Nick Kyrgios has never been one to shy away from controversy, and his recent comments on Jannik Sinner’s doping case have once again put him in the spotlight. The Australian tennis star, known for his outspoken nature, has been vocal about his disapproval of how Sinner’s situation was handled.
Kyrgios commented: “As athletes we use our platforms to make sure things are fair and even. That’s all I did. Some players are angry. We know Sinner is amazing, great tennis player and one of the main faces of the sport. But if you expect us to be silent…… we won’t.”
However, he quickly shifted to his main point of contention: the perceived double standards in the tennis world. Sinner, who tested positive for a banned substance twice earlier this year, managed to avoid suspension after the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) ruled that the substance had inadvertently entered his system.
Kyrgios has questioned the transparency and fairness of this decision, suggesting that other players might not have received the same leniency. He pointed out that the news of Sinner’s positive tests was not made public immediately, which raised eyebrows among fans and fellow players alike. “If it were me or someone else, would the outcome have been the same?” he mused, reflecting a sentiment shared by many in the tennis community.
Despite the controversy, Sinner has continued to perform at a high level, recently winning the Cincinnati Open and advancing in the US Open. Kyrgios, while acknowledging Sinner’s skill and achievements, remains critical of the process that allowed him to compete without facing significant consequences.
The debate has sparked a broader discussion about doping regulations and the consistency of their enforcement in professional tennis. Kyrgios’s comments have added fuel to the fire, ensuring that the conversation around Sinner’s case will continue for some time. As always, Kyrgios’s willingness to speak his mind has made him a polarizing figure, but it has also brought attention to issues that many believe need to be addressed in the sport.
Sinner at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2024
At the moment ranked no.1, Sinner has achieved a composed 50-5 match record in 2024. Sinner is participating at the U.S. Open where he defeated the world no.140 Mackenzie Mcdonald 2-6 6-2 6-1 6-2 and the world no.49 Alex Michelsen 6-4 6-0 6-2.
Jannik Sinner will square off with the world no.87 Christopher O Connell in the 3rd round. Their current head to head is 1-1.
The Italian conquered 5 titles in 2024 at the Australian Open, Rotterdam, Miami, Halle and Cincinnati.
Jannik 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 has scheduled to compete next in Beijing (China Open). He will begin to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 23rd of September.