Nick Kyrgios eyes showdown with Jannik Sinner at Australian Open after slamming world No.1 over doping controversy
- Kyrgios doubles down on the criticism of the world number 1
- Says he’d like to play Sinner at the Australian Open
- Aussie was an outspoken critic of Sinner
Australian firebrand Nick Kyrgios is looking forward to a showdown with world number 1 Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open in January, insisting he would turn the event into ‘an absolute riot’.
As he prepares for his return to tennis, Kyrgios has been one of Sinner’s most vocal critics after returning two positive drug tests earlier this year.
The US Open champion first tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol at Indian Wells on March 10, and again eight days later.
On both occasions, the world number one successfully appealed and was allowed to continue playing while the evidence was assessed.
Sinner, 23, subsequently managed to convince an independent tribunal that the two positive tests, which found an extremely small amount of the substance in his system – less than a billionth of a gram – had been a result of contamination.
Kyrgios, who is planning a return to Melbourne Park next year, says he wants to play against the Italian.
Nick Kyrgios is looking forward to a showdown with world number 1 Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open in January
Sinner tested positive twice for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol in March
“Let’s be honest, I just want to go out and I really want to play Sinner,” Kyrgios said on the Nothing Major podcast.
“I’ve been thinking about this (the game plan). If I played him at the Australian Open, I would get everyone in the crowd to root for him. I would just make an absolute riot.
“All respect would go out the window and I would do anything to win.”
Kyrgios says he now strives to be “as controversial as possible” and express himself authentically.
“I feel like we love sports because you have to have contrast in personalities,” he said.
‘If I draw Sinner in the third round of the Australian Open, everyone will be watching because they have contrasting personalities.
“We don’t like each other, and I think it’s healthy in sports.”
Injuries have sidelined the former Wimbledon finalist for a long time, leaving many wondering if the freakish talent would ever return to the sport.
Injuries will keep the former Wimbledon finalist out for a long time, but he plans to be fit for the Australian Open
Kyrgios says he is recovering but still not at his best.
“Every time I play tennis now, I have to deal with it for an hour and a half afterwards, just like my wrist,” he said.
‘I sometimes lose feeling in my fingers. It’s tingling, so I’m definitely at the back.
“I probably didn’t see myself playing again for a year and a half at most.”