Nick Kyrgios has reignited his feud with Jannik Sinner and is now eagerly anticipating a potential high-stakes clash at next month’s Australian Open.
The Australian has long been vocal in his criticism of Sinner, particularly after the Italian’s failed drug tests last March. Kyrgios has repeatedly suggested that the world No. 1 received preferential treatment after narrowly escaping a suspension. When the International Tennis Integrity Agency cleared Sinner of any wrongdoing, Kyrgios was quick to take to social media, expressing his disbelief: “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.”
His frustrations have continued to spill over into his media appearances, and during his recent guest spot on the Nothing Major podcast, Kyrgios didn’t hold back. “Let’s be honest… I really want to play Sinner,” Kyrgios admitted. “If I face him in the Australian Open, I’ll get every single person in the crowd against him. I’ll turn the place into an absolute riot. All respect goes out the window, and I’d do anything to win.”
While his remarks have sparked controversy, Kyrgios maintains that his criticism is rooted in concerns about fairness in the sport. “It’s not personal,” he said. “I haven’t failed any drug tests. What would I have against Iga Swiatek or Sinner personally? Nothing. It’s about making sure the playing field is level for everyone.”
Kyrgios went on to vent his frustration at the perceived advantages that some players may gain through the use of performance-enhancing substances. He expressed admiration for tennis legends like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, whom he views as “gods,” but the idea that any player would take drugs to further boost their performance enrages him. “I know I haven’t done it, and I never will,” Kyrgios said. “I may have a drink, I may not sleep well, and I’m already putting myself at a disadvantage. Then you see someone rubbing cream on their body that gives them some ‘crazy aura.’ It’s just not fair.”
Kyrgios also took aim at Sinner’s reaction to the failed drug test, accusing the Italian of trying to garner sympathy. “Once you get caught, you can’t act like the victim,” he fired back. “That’s what pisses me off even more. It’s like, ‘Hold on, you employ a team, don’t you?’ Imagine we went out and partied; how is it fair that someone gets a two-year ban for a night out, yet another person enhances their performance and gets off lightly?”
The Australian’s outspokenness is striking a chord with many in the tennis world who feel similarly about the Sinner case. Should the Australian Open draw create a potential showdown between Kyrgios and defending champion Sinner, all eyes will be on that high-stakes encounter, where the drama will undoubtedly unfold on and off the court.