- Nick Kyrgios has doubled down on his criticism of Jannik Sinner
- The Australian tennis star criticized the Italian’s doping affair
- Kyrgios said he will lead the fight to save the ‘integrity’ of tennis
Nick Kyrgios has insisted he stands ‘behind every word’ of his criticism of the Jannik Sinner doping case. The Australian tennis star has said he will lead the fight to save ‘the integrity of the sport’.
Sinner tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol during the tournament in Indian Wells on March 10 and then again just eight days later.
The Italian was provisionally suspended but successfully appealed the decision and was allowed to continue playing on the ATP tour while the International Tennis Integrity Unit assessed all the evidence.
Sinner stated that the banned substance entered his body when his physiotherapist Umberto Ferrara used a spray containing clostebol to treat a wound on the tennis star’s finger.
The 23-year-old’s team explained that Ferrara had bought the spray in Italy, one of the few countries where people can buy products containing clostebol without a prescription.
Kyrgios reacted angrily to the news and immediately called for Sinner’s suspension.
“Ridiculous, whether it was accidental or planned,” Kyrgios wrote.
‘If you are tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance… you have to stay away for two years.
Nick Kyrgios stands by his criticism of Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner
Italian Sinner cleared of wrongdoing after failing a drugs test earlier this year
‘Your performance has improved. Massage cream… Yes, nice’.
Kyrgios has since doubled down on his stance when he entered the commentary box for this year’s US Open.
“Everything I put on social media, I have to stand up for,” he said on ESPN via Nine.
“I’ve seen a lot of my friends go through doping cases and get suspended. We’ve seen players like (Simona) Halep or Jenson Brooksby – players who lost their careers… it seems like every time one of these cases comes up, there’s always a different process for different players.
“I think he had most of the time on his own terms. I don’t think that’s fair and equal for the rest of the tours.
‘Every physiotherapist employed by a player, and in fact every player himself… is sent a list of prohibited substances every year.
“On page five it says ‘Always Banned’. If there is a clearing, we need to get a definition of what ‘Always Banned’ means. I’m pretty sure that means no matter how much it shows up… that means you tested positive.
But outspoken Australian tennis star Kyrgios said he would fight to save the ‘integrity’ of tennis
“Why his team would carry a banned substance, which we know is absolutely unnecessary in sport, is another question.”
Kyrgios admitted he has no personal issues with Sinner but admitted he would struggle to look past the story if they ever play each other again.
“It’s nothing against Sinner personally. He’s one of the best tennis players we have at the moment. I don’t deny that. Nothing against him personally,” Kyrgios said.
“I’m definitely not going to be as warm and welcoming as I was before. I just want a level playing field for everyone. That’s what this fight is for.
“I was tested two days ago in my hotels. We are tested consistently. This is a sport that I have played my whole life. When the playing field is not the same for everyone, you lose a little bit of the integrity of the sport.”