Novak Djokovic breaks his silence on tennis doping scandals – and reveals what he really thinks of Nick Kyrgios’s tough stance
Novak Djokovic has criticized tennis’s governing bodies for their lack of transparency over the doping cases that have rocked the sport this year – echoing the stance of his former rival turned friend Nick Kyrgios.
Specifically, the 24-time Grand Slam champion claimed that tennis players had been kept “in the dark” regarding Jannik Sinner’s case.
The Italian appeared to have failed two doping tests in March, but was found not to be at fault.
Despite this, 23-year-old Sinner still faces the threat of a possible ban, with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) set to appeal the International Tennis Integrity Agencies’ (ITIA) decision that the winner of the Australian This year’s open ‘carried no guilt or guilt’. negligence’ regarding his positive tests for clostebol.
Fellow Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek also served a one-month ban in August after testing positive for a banned substance, while Australian star Max Purcell accepted a ban last week after admitting breaching doping rules.
Kyrgios has been outspoken about the situation for some time now, claiming the recent issues have left a ‘disgusting’ impression on tennis.
Novak Djokovic has echoed Nick Kyrgios’ comments condemning tennis governments over the doping scandals that have recently hit the sport.
An angry Kyrgios has spoken out candidly about Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek’s alleged doping rule violations
Sinner (photo) reportedly failed two doping tests in March, but was cleared by the ITIA. WADA is now appealing this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport
“I just think it’s being handled horribly in our sport,” Kyrgios (29) said.
‘Two number one in the world is disgusting for our sport.
“It’s a horrible look.”
Djokovic and Kyrgios will team up for the men’s doubles at this year’s Brisbane International, with their first match on Monday night at the Pat Rafter Arena against Alexander Erler and Andrewa Mies.
But on Sunday, Djokovic gave his opinion on the doping scandals that have rocked tennis and sided with Kyrgios.
“It’s not a good image or a good look for our sport,” he told Sky Sports.
“I think in the last 20 years I’ve played on the professional tour, we’ve been one of the cleanest sports.
‘I just wonder how the system really works and why certain players are not treated the same as other players. It’s about the inconsistency, the transparency.’
Djokovic has denounced the lack of transparency about doping, especially around the Sinner case
Kyrgios, meanwhile, took to social media to back Djokovic’s claims, writing: ‘Goat has spoken’
Kyrgios had previously labeled the decision not to suspend Sinner as ‘ridiculous’.
His comments have sparked a fierce feud with the men’s world number 1, with Kyrgios claiming he felt “people were trying to sweep Sinner’s situation under the carpet.”
Djokovic, meanwhile, said: “We have been kept in the dark about Jannik’s case. I have no doubt whether he took the banned substance intentionally or not.
‘I believe in the clean sport, I believe that the player will do everything possible to play fair and I have known Jannik since he was very young. He doesn’t strike me as someone who would do something like that.
“But I am very frustrated, like most players, to see that we have been left in limbo for five months.”
The 10-time Australian Open champion’s comments were subsequently backed by Kyrgios on social media, with the Aussie star taking to X to support Djokovic on Sunday night.
He wrote “Goat has spoken” in response to a post detailing Djokovic’s comments about doping in tennis.
Kyrgios, meanwhile, will make his long-awaited return to the field on Monday, with the Australian having made just one competitive appearance in the past two years.
Djokovic and Kyrgios will team up in the men’s doubles at the Brisbane International this week
The 29-year-old feared he would never play again after undergoing wrist reconstruction surgery this year.
Before that, he had also overcome knee and ankle ligament issues that derailed his 2023 season.
“Even to be back on the field after the operation was a miracle, to be honest,” Kyrgios said.
Kyrgios is preparing to play at the Australian Open this summer and claims he is taking step by step to get back to full fitness.
“I’m just taking it day by day and doing everything I can to get back on the field and have some success.”
He also talked about how he and Djokovic came to the revelation that they should team up for the Brisbane International this week.
“We spoke earlier, at Wimbledon, about playing together when he’s back on tour,” Kyrgios told reporters.
‘Now we have the first chance in the first week of the season, which should be fun.’
Kyrgios, who won the 2022 Australian Open men’s doubles event alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis, who has withdrawn from this week’s tournament.
On Tuesday, Kyrgios will face Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in his first singles match back from injury in the opening round of the men’s singles at The Queensland Tennis Centre.