Jannik Sinner responds to stinging Nick Kyrgios swipes and hints at locker room hostility
Jannik Sinner cruised into round two of the US Open with a 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 win against American Alex Michelsen, but the drug scandal that engulfed him prior to the start of the tournament continues to be the big talking point around the world No 1.
World No 1 Sinner was cleared of fault or negligence by an independent tribunal that accepted the banned substance had accidentally entered his system, with the fall-out from his case still unfolding in the court of public opinion.
Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios is among those who have questioned how and why Sinner was cleared after twice testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance in March.
Now Kyrgios is working for ESPN at the US Open and there is a possibility he could be asked to conduct an on-court interview with Sinner.
When the Italian was asked how he would feel if he is to be interviewed by the outspoken Aussie, he was keen to avoid pouring fire onto the issue by starting a war of words with Kyrgios.
“I don’t want to respond to what he said,” said Sinner.
“Everyone is free to say everything. It’s ok. If that is the case, let’s see. It’s gonna be different for sure (smiling). I don’t know what to say. Maybe I say something now and then the reaction will be something else. I’m always quite relaxed.
“I’m someone who forgets things quite fast. Everyone is free to say everything. It is what it is.”
Jannik Sinner News
The 9 men to reach world No 1 but never win US Open title – ft. incumbent Jannik Sinner, Bjorn Borg
Sinner was also asked about the reaction from other players in the locker room to his presence and he gave a hint that some have been more cordial than others.
“It helps me to see who my friends are and who are not my friends,” he continued, suggesting some players have not been welcoming to him since news of his drug case broke.
“I wish nobody has this experience to grow because this is a different way of experience, but you also realize that there is also a life outside of tennis, which is much more important than what we do because our daily routine is to hit tennis balls and go in the gym.
“Then, you know, you see that some people, they are sick. There are different things that come to my mind. I said, okay, tennis is big for me because it showed me what I am as a person and how important the sport is, but in the other way there is a life outside of tennis, which is even more important.
“Trying to be healthy, surround yourself with good people. That is more important for me.
“Then on the tennis court obviously I try to do my best. I try to fight and let the spectators enjoy also the show.
For me, I believe that I have grown also as a person this period regardless of how everything is going, which hopefully can help me in the future.”
Sinner also confirmed he had not replaced Umberto Ferrara and Giacomo Naldi after the duo took the blame for his failed drug test.
“I don’t want to talk about this at the moment,” he added. “We are trying to understand who would be the best option now. Not easy obviously to find now in the middle of the season, you know, the physical trainer and the physio.
“We try our best to find the best people, and then we see. After the US Open hopefully I have something. Yeah, so let’s see.”
Sinner may have hoped the statement confirmed he had been clear after his failed doping tests was the end of this story, but it is clear that it will not be forgotten that quickly.
And if Kyrgios is handed a microphone and Sinner agrees to speak to him in front of a live audience on Arthur Ashe Stadium court at any point in this US Open, standby for a box office conversation.
