Nick Kyrgios, the outspoken Australian tennis star, continues to voice his disapproval of the handling of Jannik Sinner’s doping case. Unmoved by the independent ITIA inquiry’s conclusion that Sinner was “without fault or negligence”, Kyrgios has been unwavering in his criticism since the Italian was cleared of doping charges after failing two tests at the Indian Wells. Labeling the ITIA’s decision as “absurd”, Kyrgios remains deeply dissatisfied with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) settlement that resulted in a mere three-month ban for Sinner.
While the fiery Australian’s criticism has drawn a fair share of backlash on social media, he remains unyielding and unrepentant. A recent viral social media post imagined a dystopian 2084 where an aged Kyrgios was still embittered by Sinner’s doping case. The German tennis veteran, Boris Becker, responded to the post with a simple “Lol” – a comment that did not sit well with the Aussie.
Kyrgios, known for his sharp tongue and quick wit, swiftly responded to Becker’s comment by referencing his past legal troubles. Becker, a former Wimbledon champion at 17, served eight months of a two-and-a-half-year sentence in 2022 for concealing and transferring money during bankruptcy proceedings. He was also convicted for tax evasion in Germany in 2002. Never one to mince his words, Kyrgios retorted with a stinging “What’s up criminal.”
The Australian’s reproach of Sinner has often been dismissed as “sour grapes”. He has repeatedly condemned Sinner’s claim that a banned substance entered his body through a massage spray used by his ex-physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi. Kyrgios has also taken potshots at any individuals supporting Sinner, including former World No. 1 Andy Roddick, accusing them of using performance-enhancing drugs.
Despite the widespread perception, Kyrgios continues to deny that his criticisms are fueled by personal bitterness. He insists that his issue is with the perceived lack of fairness.
His dispute with Becker dates back to 2023 when he questioned the skill level of players from Becker’s era compared to the current generation. This sparked a war of words, with Becker criticizing Kyrgios for his lack of respect for past players and his failure to secure a major title. Kyrgios, unfazed, defended his credibility, highlighting his victories over Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray.
Whether it’s his ongoing feud with Becker or his relentless criticism of Sinner, one thing is clear – Nick Kyrgios is not one to back down from his convictions. The question now is, how long will Sinner remain in Kyrgios’ crosshairs?