Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios didn’t hold back after the news that Jannik Sinner, the ATP world No. 1, tested positive twice for a banned substance.
On Tuesday, the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced the Italian star would not be suspended for two positive tests for Clostebol — a banned substance that carries a mandatory suspension — in March.
Sinner successfully appealed both tests and an investigation by the ITIA determined the 23-year-old bore “no fault or negligence” for the violations because the performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist.
Although Sinner avoided a potential four-year ban (the benchmark sanction for such violation), he was stripped of his 400 ranking points and $325,000 in prize money he earned at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in March — when his first positive drug test took place.
It was not enough for Kyrgios, who will compete in the Ultimate Tennis Showdown at Forest Hills Stadium this week after multiple injuries.
“Ridiculous – whether it was accidental or planned,” the Australian wrote on X. “You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance… you should be gone for 2 years.
“Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream…. Yeah nice.”
After his comments, Kyrgios told The Post he was “disappointed” over the situation
“It is what it is, and I guess they’ve dealt with it,” Kyrgios said, referring to the ITIA.
“And we all know how important he is for the future of the sport — you know, carrying [on the sport], [Carlos] Alcatraz… the people are looking for the big 3. And obviously that doesn’t say that I’m not disappointed. But at the same time, I know he’s the impact and how many fans globally he has and how important it is to the sport.”
Kyrgios said he was practicing when he learned about Skinner.
“We were all on the court this morning and practicing and every tennis player was into it, that’s for sure,” he added.
Canadian pro Denis Shapovalov added, “Different rules for different players.”
In a separate post, he wrote: “Can’t imagine what every other player that got banned for contaminated substances is feeling right now.”
Sinner, who won the Cincinnati Open on Monday, said he “will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me” in a statement posted to his Instagram.
Kyrgios will return to the court since last June after wrist and knee surgeries.
He will compete in a mixed doubles exhibition with Naomi Osaka Tuesday as part of Fan Week ahead of the US Open.
Kyrgios will also play in UTS New York against Casper Ruud at Forest Hills Stadium on Thursday, when the league will debut in New York.
The event runs through Friday before the start of the U.S. Open next week.
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