August 27th 2024.
Nick Kyrgios is not one to shy away from speaking his mind, especially when it comes to issues he feels passionate about in the world of tennis. And he recently took to social media to defend himself against critics who were not too pleased with his comments regarding Jannik Sinner's doping scandal.
For those unfamiliar with the situation, Sinner, currently ranked World No.1, tested positive for trace amounts of the banned substance clostebol during the Indian Wells tournament back in March. However, unlike other high-profile athletes, he was not banned from competing as it was determined that he had been contaminated through a "bare-handed massage."
This verdict did not sit well with Kyrgios, who was quick to voice his disapproval of how Sinner was being treated by the governing bodies of the sport. And as the US Open got underway on Monday, he made it clear that his feelings towards Sinner had not changed.
"I'm not going to be as hospitable to him as I was before when I'm in the locker room," the Australian stated while providing commentary for ESPN. "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."
Kyrgios went on to explain that his criticism towards Sinner was not a personal attack, but rather a reflection of his frustration with the unequal treatment of players when it comes to doping scandals. He pointed out that players like Simona Halep have faced harsher consequences for similar offenses, while Sinner was still able to compete despite being provisionally suspended.
"He's one of the greatest tennis players we have right now...and how important he's gonna be for the next 15 years," Kyrgios clarified. "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."
The 29-year-old also emphasized the need for a level playing field for all players, regardless of their status or financial resources. He addressed the issue of coaches being allowed in the player box, stating that not every player can afford a coach, and this creates an imbalance in the sport.
As expected, Kyrgios' comments did not go unnoticed, and he faced criticism from some who accused him of spreading misinformation. In response, he stood by his statements and clarified that Sinner had indeed tested positive twice.
But Kyrgios was undeterred by the backlash and maintained that he was simply speaking his truth. "Legal action against what?" he responded to those suggesting Sinner should take legal action against his comments. "They asked me a question, and I answered it. Sucks for youuuuuuu."
Meanwhile, Sinner will be taking to the court on Tuesday evening for his first match at the US Open against American Mackenzie McDonald. And with the controversy surrounding his doping scandal still fresh, it will be interesting to see how he performs and how his peers will react to him.
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