Nick Kyrgios has been ruthless in his criticism of Jannik Sinner over the world number 1’s doping violation, but a tennis expert has suggested his hostility stems from the Italian being in a relationship with his ex-girlfriend.
Kyrgios has been one of the most vocal critics of Sinner and world number 2 Iga Swiatek after their positive drug tests last year.
Sinner tested positive for an anabolic steroid twice in March but avoided a ban after the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) ruled him not guilty.
Kyrgios has publicly called for Sinner to be banned, attacking him on social media and describing the doping drama as ‘disgusting for our sport’.
However, the situation is complicated by the fact that Sinner is dating Kyrgios’ ex, Anna Kalinskaya.
American sports journalist Jon Wertheim claimed the Australian’s obsession with Sinner is rooted in personal animosity and not concerns about the integrity of tennis.
Sports journalist Jon Wertheim has claimed that Nick Kyrgios’ attacks on Jannik Sinner stem from the Italian being in a relationship with the Australian’s ex-girlfriend.
Sinner has been in a relationship with tennis star Anna Kalinskaya since the beginning of last year
Kalinskaya (photo)
“There’s a woman involved in this, who also happens to be a player,” Wertheim said on Andy Roddick’s Served podcast on Monday.
‘Please note that Jannik Sinner – who he has been relentlessly bullying and unresponsive for months – is also coached by a colleague at ESPN.
‘There’s so much going on here, but it doesn’t seem to have anything to do with bona fide concerns about doping.
‘He [Kyrgios] “I didn’t even seem to understand the doping protocols and the context to begin with that leads me to the conclusion that this is all just… against a player who is now in a relationship with an ex-girlfriend, and nothing more.”
Roddick also used that episode of the podcast to launch a stunning attack on the Australian, bringing up the fact that he pleaded guilty to assaulting an ex-girlfriend, while labeling Kyrgios a hypocrite and a bully .
At the end of last year, there were rumors that Sinner and Kalinskaya had split, but there has been no official confirmation of this from either player.
Kyrgios, who is now in a relationship with Costeen Hatzi, responded by saying he personally has no issues with Sinner, writing on X: “I don’t care where the sinner puts his wood. I am in a happy relationship. I just don’t like people who cheat the system.’
In September 2023, there were calls for Kyrgios to be fired from his commentary job at ESPN after he responded ‘second serve’ to a photo of him and Kalinskaya together.
It’s not certain what the 29-year-old was trying to communicate with the comment, but many thought it was a misogynistic swipe at Sinner.
Kyrgios responded to the claims by stating that he has no personal problems with the Italian and that he does not care who he is in a relationship with (pictured)
Sinner had a triumphant year on the court in 2024 (pictured kissing Kalinskaya after winning the US Open last September)
Kyrgios was condemned for making this comment on a photo of himself and Kalinskaya
Kyrgios described the doping scandals last month as ‘terrible’ for tennis.
‘Two number 1s in the world both being fined for doping is disgusting for our sport. It’s a terrible sight,” Kyrgios said at his Brisbane International press conference.
“Tennis integrity right now, and everyone knows it, but no one wants to talk about it, it’s terrible.”
Kyrgios has been struggling with wrist and knee injuries since June 2023. He was asked about his motivation for speaking out about the Sinner and Swiatek situations.
“Someone like me… I would never even try to dope in this sport in my entire life,” he said.
‘Especially when I suffer an injury like I experienced, there are obviously things that can speed up healing, help me get back to the top level and help my recovery.
“There are so many things that are forbidden in our sport that I could have done to come back faster… (but) that’s just not who I am. I’m always against that.
“So when people say I’m disrespectful to the sport, I think that someone like that who tried to cheat the process, and actually didn’t do it completely on his own merit, is disrespectful in my opinion.
“I have to be open about it because I don’t think there are enough people talking about it. I think people are trying to sweep it under the rug.”