“More tweets against Jannik Sinner than games played” – Fans outraged as Nick Kyrgios continues attacking Italian amid Laureus snub

Nick Kyrgios Sparks Backlash Over Comments on Jannik Sinner’s Laureus Award Revocation

Jannik Sinner’s removal from the Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award nomination following his three-month suspension has drawn strong reactions—including a scathing remark from Nick Kyrgios. However, many fans were quick to call out the Aussie, arguing that he was in no position to comment on “sportsmanship.”

Sinner and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) reached a settlement that officially closed the Italian’s doping controversy. Despite this resolution, opinions within the tennis community remained divided. In response, the Laureus World Sports Academy announced that Sinner’s nomination for the prestigious award had been withdrawn.

“Following discussions by the Laureus Academy, it has been decided that Jannik Sinner’s nomination for this year’s Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award is to be withdrawn. We have followed this case, the decisions of the relevant global bodies and—whilst we note the extenuating circumstances involved—feel that the three-month ban renders the nomination ineligible. Jannik and his team have been informed,” read an official statement.

Kyrgios, who has been openly critical of Sinner since news of his doping controversy broke, took another jab at the Italian on X:
“Well, I mean sportsmanship does mean playing by the rules.”

His comment triggered a wave of backlash from fans, who ridiculed the former Wimbledon finalist for weighing in on the matter.

• “In recent months, you’ve tweeted more about Sinner than played actual matches. Influencer.”
• “I live in a world where Nick Kyrgios tries to lecture people on sportsmanship. Let that sink in.”
• “You’d think you’d have the decency to keep quiet, but I guess you don’t know the meaning of the word. You have to be a decent person to understand sportsmanship.”

Others took a more sarcastic approach:

• “That’s why you were never even in consideration for the award. Go out and touch grass.”
• “Totally agree, Nick. You really deserved to win it every year of your career. Of course, the ‘establishment’ robbed you!”

Kyrgios Questions Sinner’s Lack of Action Against His Team

Kyrgios didn’t stop there. He later questioned why Sinner didn’t take legal action against those responsible for his positive test.

Sinner tested positive for Clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, during the Indian Wells Masters last year. His defense was that the substance entered his system through bare-handed massages from his ex-physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, who used a healing spray on Sinner’s injured finger—unaware that it contained Clostebol.

When a user on X suggested that Sinner might not have pursued legal action because it could lead to inconsistencies in his team’s accounts, Kyrgios agreed, responding:
“Exactly? Why not take action against the person responsible for ‘losing’ money and tainting his image?”

This isn’t the first time Kyrgios has taken aim at Sinner. When news of the Italian’s three-month suspension broke, he bluntly called it a “bad day for tennis.”