Nick Kyrgios, in his absence from playing professional tennis, has seamlessly transitioned into punditry.
The Australian was first employed earlier in the year at the Australian Open, and has since been called back for Wimbledon and now the US Open, with great success.
A well-liked but at times controversial figure, he has not shied away from voicing his opinion on the latest headline-stealing news, after Jannik Sinner was cleared for testing positive for the steroid clostebol.
Taking to X, and now using his commentary as a platform to further spread his views, the 29-year-old has now offered an update on his thoughts on the matter.
Nick Kyrgios delivers update on his opinion of Jannik Sinner
Kyrgios has been critical of Sinner throughout this process, and so is unlikely to remain friendly with the Italian going forward when he returns to the tour.
He made that abundantly clear whilst on commentary for Ben Shelton’s win over Dominic Thiem, as he simply stated: ‘I’m not going to be as hospitable to him as I was before when I’m in the locker room.’
He then followed that up with the following claims: ‘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. 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.’
Why stick with the wrong rules?
Whilst Nick Kyrgios’ point is a fair one regarding the treatment of Jannik Sinner compared to other players, it’s worth noting how the likes of Simona Halep, Tara Moore and many more were given really harsh sentences that most would argue were unfair to the alleged crime.
The former was provisionally suspended in October 2022 and later fully banned for four years for two separate anti-doping rule violations.
That was eventually reduced to nine months the following year after an appeal in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Meanwhile Moore, a former doubles British number one, was banned for 19 months for failing a drug test before being cleared last year.
These are two examples of horrendous treatment that should not be the norm, and yet because they have been treated as such, many think Sinner should also be hamstrung.
The lack of initial suspension does raise eyebrows, but if this sets a healthier, more intelligent precedent going forward, then surely this must be viewed as progress.
Claims around bias towards the top players will always be rife, and are likely very true, but it feels like this case can only really be judged in the years that follow, and how others of a far smaller standing are now treated after what has happened with Sinner.
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