Nick Kyrgios criticised for ‘poisoning’ Jannik Sinner doping saga by Grand Slam winner
Nick Kyrgios has been told his constant attacks on Jannik Sinner are “not necessary” by former doubles world No 1 Nicolas Mahut.
After news of Sinner’s two failed doping tests came to light in August, Kyrgios has delivered a barrage of snipes as he believes the world No 1 should have been banned.
The Italian twice tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol in March, but he was allowed to continue playing after successful appeals.
He was then cleared of any wrongdoing by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after an investigation found “no fault or negligence” on the player’s part.
Kyrgios, though, has insisted from day one that Sinner should have been banned for a minimum of two years as the player should take responsibility and he might still get his wish as the World Anti-Doping Agency has appealed the ITIA’s decision not to suspend the 23-year-old.
The Australian has taken regular potshots at the Italian and recently he upped the ante by stating: “Let’s be honest… I really want to go out there and I really want to play Sinner.
“If I played him in the Australian Open, I’d get every person in the crowd to get on him. I would turn into an absolute riot. All respect would go out the window and I would just do anything to win.”
The comments have not gone down well with five-time Grand Slam doubles champion Mahut.
The Frenchman, who peaked at No 37 in the singles rankings, says Kyrgios is free to have an opinion on the matter, but feels there is no need to “poison” the situation.
“I don’t like these statements,” he is quoted as saying by Eurosport. “He is entitled to give his opinion on Sinner’s positive test, everyone is free to think what they want. But to poison the situation like that… Sinner has never disrespected anyone, he is the No 1 in the world. So it’s not necessary.”
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Kyrgios will return to action next year after more than a year out due to injury and there is no doubt his matches will be heated, whether or not he faces Sinner.
“In any case, when Kyrgios plays in Australia, the crowd has always been a little on the edge for years,” Mahut said. “We saw it in particular in doubles with [Thanasi] Kokkinakis where the crowd had gone to the other side of the barrier.”
He added: “If he were to play Kyrgios, I think it is more the pre-match climate that would be difficult to manage than the match itself for Sinner.”
