Novak Djokovic has hit back at claims he intentionally disrespected Jannik Sinner during a recent interview, calling the accusations “ridiculous” and “rubbish.” The 23-time Grand Slam champion was responding to social media backlash over his seemingly dismissive one-word association with Sinner during a GQ interview, a moment that sparked intense speculation given the Italian’s ongoing doping scandal.
The Controversy: A One-Word Answer Blown Out of Proportion
During the GQ interview, Djokovic was asked to describe fellow tennis stars Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner with the first word that came to mind. His responses for Federer (“elegance”), Nadal (“warrior”), and Alcaraz (“charisma”) drew no criticism. However, his answer for Sinner—“skiing”—raised eyebrows, especially in light of Sinner’s doping controversy.
Some fans interpreted the choice as a subtle dig, particularly given Djokovic’s public friendship with Nick Kyrgios, one of Sinner’s harshest critics. Kyrgios has openly called for Sinner to face a ban and even vowed to rally the Australian Open crowd against him if they face off.
Djokovic Responds: ‘It’s Being Made Into Drama’
Addressing the controversy in a pre-Australian Open press conference, Djokovic denied any intention of disrespecting Sinner.
“Yes, I’ve seen it on social media that it’s being made into some kind of drama or a story, like I humiliated him or intentionally disrespected him. That’s ridiculous,” Djokovic said. “It was one of those quiz-type interviews where you have to think of something in a second.”
Djokovic explained that his association of Sinner with skiing stemmed from their shared interest in the sport. “Sinner’s name came up, and I had this image in my head of him skiing, because I saw he was skiing somewhere. Also, the two of us talk about skiing always, how we’re going to ski together,” he clarified.
A Show of Respect for Sinner’s Dominance
Far from disrespecting Sinner, Djokovic went on to praise the Italian’s remarkable 2024 season, during which Sinner emerged as the ATP World No. 1 and established himself as the dominant force in men’s tennis.
“It’s as clear as day that the way he is dominating is worthy of every praise – both his playing style and the level of play. He’s got all the attributes I’ve mentioned in others (Federer, Nadal, Alcaraz),” Djokovic said.
He emphasized that the skiing comment had nothing to do with Sinner’s tennis career: “Now people make it seem like I am disrespecting him. Rubbish.”
The Sinner Doping Saga Looms
Sinner’s case remains one of the most polarizing topics in tennis. Since his positive test for Clostebol became public in August 2024, the Italian has faced relentless scrutiny. Although initially acquitted by the ITIA Independent Tribunal, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with a hearing set for April.
Sinner, meanwhile, has chosen to ignore the noise. The defending Australian Open champion stated during his pre-tournament press conference that he wouldn’t engage with Kyrgios’ provocations or the broader discourse, focusing instead on his title defense in Melbourne.
Kyrgios vs. Sinner: The Tension Builds
Adding fuel to the fire, Kyrgios’ vocal criticism of Sinner has created a sharp divide among players and fans. The Australian has publicly called for harsher penalties in doping cases and promised to turn the Melbourne crowd against Sinner if they meet. Despite their personal friendship, Djokovic’s association with Kyrgios has added layers of intrigue to this unfolding saga.
What’s Next for Djokovic and Sinner?
As Djokovic prepares to chase yet another Australian Open title, the controversy surrounding Sinner continues to cast a shadow over the tournament. While Djokovic has made his respect for the Italian clear, the court of public opinion remains divided.
With Sinner’s CAS hearing scheduled for April, his performance in Melbourne will be closely watched as fans and analysts alike speculate about the fallout from one of tennis’ most contentious doping cases.
