Nick Kyrgios says he absolutely has zero regrets over his criticism of the Jannik Sinner doping drama as the 2022 Wimbledon finalist suggests there have definitely been double standards in how the Italian’s situation was handled and how some other cases were treated.
Last Tuesday, an absolute bombshell dropped when it was announced that Sinner twice failed a doping test in March after a prohibited steroid was found in his system. However, the world No. 1 didn’t spend a day suspended because his team was able to quickly determine from which product it came and prove that it was contaminated. Therefore, the 23-year-old Italian was allowed to resume action on the Tour while the investigation was ongoing.
And after the process concluded, it was said that Sinner “bore no fault or negligence” for the contaminated product that was used to treat a cut in Indian Wells and avoided any suspension.
Shortly after those news were released, Kyrgios ripped the entire situation as “ridiculous” and opined that Sinner should have at least been removed two years from the sport.
Ridiculous – whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance… you should be gone for 2 years. Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream…. Yeah nice 🙄 https://t.co/13qR0F9nH2
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) August 20, 2024
Since then, Kyrgios hasn’t backed down a bit and he refused to buy into explanations that were provided.
Oh interesting. Someone did research and guess what………. https://t.co/orsOW1cQUl
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) August 23, 2024
@pavyg some really interesting information about how quickly this is in and out of your system. ‘Billionth of a gram’ all this bs – you have professionals saying that gels and creams are a good way to dope lol
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) August 25, 2024
Kyrgios on slamming the Sinner case: I stand by every word but it’s nothing personal
“I think I stand by every word. Everything I put on social media I have to stand up for. I’ve seen many of my friends go through doping things and being suspended. We’ve seen players like Halep and everyone and it seems like every time one of these things comes up, there’s always a different process for different players,” Kyrgios said on ESPN during his conversation with Chris Fowler.
“It’s nothing against Sinner personally at all. I know how important he is. He’s one of the greatest tennis players we have right now… And how important he’s gonna be for the next 15 years. I’m not denying any of that. Nothing against him personally. If you look at Jenson Brooksby… Players who’ve had their careers taken away for up to a year… And someone like Sinner just kind of doing it his own kind of way. I think he had it on his own terms for most of the time. I don’t think that’s fair and equal for the rest of the tour.”
After some of the details came to the surface, some placed the majority of the blame on the since-fired physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi. But Kyrgios doesn’t seem to believe that you can so easily pick a product that happens to be contaminated with a banned substance.
“Every physio that’s employed by a player, as well as every player, we get sent a prohibited substance list every year. On page 5, it says ‘Prohibited at all times’. If there’s a clearing we need to get a definition of what ‘Prohibited at all times’ means. I’m pretty sure that means no matter what amount or if it comes up or if it shows up… that means you tested positive,” Kyrgios explained.
“I guess there’s a grey area in what ‘Prohibited at all times’ means. Why is his team carrying a banned substance that we know is completely not necessary in the sport is another question itself. Guys like Alcaraz have been asked and kind of stayed neutral on it. But at the same time there’s a lot of things I think and details we have been told as well.”
Kyrgios wants it fair and right
Last week, Sinner’s coach Daren Cahill explained that the Italian tennis star had the resources to hire a very strong legal team in a fight to clear his name. While no one can blame Sinner for doing everything he could to have the verdict in his favor, Kyrgios suggests he would like to see every player having the same rights.
“That’s what the fight is for. That’s why these players have come to social media with a bit of discomfort in a way. I got tested at my hotels two days ago. We do get tested consistently. This is a sport I’ve played my whole life. I just want a level playing field for everyone. This is why I was against coaches in the player box. Not every player has a coach. Not every player in qualifying can afford a coach. If the playing field isn’t the same for everyone, you kind of lose the integrity of the sport a little bit,” Kyrgios noted.
Nick Kyrgios says he stands by every word he’s said about Jannik Sinner’s case, but it’s nothing personal
Nick: “I think I stand by every word. Everything I put on social media I have to stand up for. I’ve seen many of my friends go through doping things and being suspended.… pic.twitter.com/UG020jNXUM
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 26, 2024
Meanwhile, Sinner has remained adamant that he never felt like he was guilty or anything but that he did feel stressed because the entire situation was leaving a toll on his mental health.