Nick Kyrgios responds after surprising Jannik Sinner ‘favourite player’ comment revealed
Nick Kyrgios has continued his attack on Jannik Sinner in reaction to an old video resurfacing showing him naming the Italian star as his “favourite player.”
Sinner has frequently come under fire from Kyrgios since the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) revealed in August that the world No 1 had avoided a ban for failing two doping tests in March.
The Italian tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol during and after the 2024 Indian Wells Masters, but an independent tribunal ruled he carried “no fault or negligence.”
The tribunal accepted Sinner’s explanation that the substance had entered his body when receiving a massage from his former physio, Giacomo Naldi, who had used a spray containing the steroid to treat a cut on his finger.
In September, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over the verdict, seeking to impose a ban of up to two years on the world No 1. Sinner’s case will be heard from April 16-17.
Kyrgios has made it clear that he thinks Sinner should be punished for the positive tests and has suggested he does not believe the three-time major winner’s explanation.
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An X user recently shared a clip from a Kyrgios interview in which the Australian said: “Sinner is like my favourite player right now.”
In his response to the tweet, Kyrgios explained that the video was from before Sinner’s failed doping tests and took the opportunity to direct his latest barb towards the world No 1.
“This was before he was found with roids (steroids) in his system,” the 29-year-old wrote.
Sinner launched his own YouTube channel following his successful title defence at the Australian Open last month.
Unsurprisingly, Kyrgios was quick to mock the Italian for this as he called for “behind the scenes” footage showing what led to his positive drug tests.
“He has brought out a YouTube channel – hopefully he has the behind the scenes of what happened a year ago,” Kyrgios tweeted.
“Media team is working over time mate – disgusting.”
Ahead of his comeback at the Brisbane International last month, Kyrgios addressed his stance on players who fail doping tests.
“Okay, he (Sinner) is No 1 in the world, he is an amazing tennis player. I never said he’s not. I just think the treatment has to be fair for everyone,” the 2022 Wimbledon finalist told the media.
“I just think that it’s been handled horrifically in our sport. Two world No 1s (Sinner and Iga Swiatek) both getting done for doping is disgusting for our sport. It’s a horrible look.
“Yeah, the tennis integrity right now, and everyone knows it, but no one wants to speak about it, it’s awful. It’s actually awful. And it’s not okay.”
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