Nick Kyrgios issues spiky Jannik Sinner message on US Open commentary after doping case | Tennis | Sport
Nick Kyrgios has made his feelings clear after an independent tribunal ruled that Jannik Sinner bore “no fault or negligence” for two anti-doping violations.
The world No. 1 tested positive for the banned substance clostebol twice earlier this year. He was allowed to continue playing after successfully appealing his provisional suspensions earlier this year, with experts accepting that his contamination argument was plausible.
But Kyrgios has been vocal in his thoughts on social media. And he doubled down while commentating on the US Open for ESPN, sending Sinner a message about their future relations.
The Australian admitted that he would be treating Sinner differently after he avoided a suspension for his positive test results. “I’m not going to be as hospitable to him as I was before when I’m in the locker room,” he said in the commentary booth on Monday.
Kyrgios also addressed his recent social media comments, in which he claimed that Sinner should be “gone for two years”, and explained that it was nothing personal. He continued: “I think I stand by every word. Everything I put on social media I have to stand up for. I’ve seen many of my friends go through doping things and being suspended.
“We’ve seen players like Halep and everyone and it seems like every time one of these things comes up, there’s always a different process for different players. It’s nothing against Sinner personally at all. I know how important he is. He’s one of the greatest tennis players we have right now.. and how important he’s gonna be for the next 15 years. I’m not denying any of that. Nothing against him personally.”
Chris Fowler, who was leading ESPN’s commentary, replied: “There is the feeling that the money and status you have, the better advisory you have around you.. there’s a feeling that there’s not a level playing field in terms of response to an accusation.”
And Kyrgios noted that he wanted consistency for all players. “That’s what the fight is for. That’s why these players have come to social media with a bit of discomfort in a way. I got tested at my hotels two days ago. We do get tested consistently. This is a sport I’ve played my whole life,” he added.
“I just want a level playing field for everyone. This is why I was against coaches in the player box. Not every player has a coach. Not every player in qualifying can afford a coach. If the playing field isn’t the same for everyone, you kind of lose the integrity of the sport a little bit.”
Sinner tested positive twice in March of this year. He was only notified of the results at the conclusion of the Miami Open – a tournament he won. His team explained that he was inadvertently contaminated via his physio, who used a spray to treat a cut on his own finger.
The spray contained clostebol. Sinner’s physio continued to treat him with massages and did not wear gloves. Players who test positive for a non-specified substance automatically receive a provisional suspension, which they have the right to appeal.
On both occasions, he successfully appealed and was allowed to keep playing as a result. His explanation for the contamination was accepted as credible and the International Tennis Integrity Agency did not oppose his appeals to continue playing. An independent tribunal was held on August 15, concluding that the world No. 1 bore no fault or negligence.
