In a shocking turn of events, Nick Kyrgios, the fiery Australian tennis star, has taken aim at fellow player Jannik Sinner after the young Italian tested positive not just once, but twice for performance-enhancing drugs. Despite this serious breach of rules, the International Tennis Integrity Agency decided not to suspend Sinner, instead opting for a different form of punishment. However, Kyrgios expressed his strong disapproval, believing that the consequences were not severe enough.
The substance in question, Clostebol, is known to carry a mandatory suspension for athletes who test positive for it. Kyrgios was particularly incensed by the leniency shown towards Sinner, given the gravity of the situation. After the initial positive tests, Sinner appealed, claiming that the substance had been unknowingly administered to him during a massage by his physiotherapist. Following an investigation by the ITIA, Sinner was cleared of any fault or negligence, escaping a potential four-year ban.
Despite avoiding a lengthy suspension, Sinner did have to face repercussions for his actions. He was forced to relinquish the 400 ranking points he had earned and return the substantial prize money of $325,000 that he had won at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells earlier in the year. However, for Kyrgios, these consequences were still not sufficient given the circumstances.
“It’s ridiculous – whether it was accidental or planned,” Kyrgios vented on X. “You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance… you should be gone for 2 years.” The outspoken Australian made his feelings clear, questioning the integrity of the decision and the message it sends to other players. Kyrgios’s outspoken nature has once again stirred up controversy in the tennis world, as he calls for stricter enforcement of anti-doping regulations to maintain the integrity of the sport.
