Nick Kyrgios has escalated his feud with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, calling the doping scandal surrounding the Italian “more cringe every day.” Sinner, a three-time Grand Slam champion, is currently serving a three-month suspension after striking a deal with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for failing two tests for the anabolic steroid clostebol in 2024. The lenient penalty—allowing him to return for the Italian Open without missing a Major—has drawn sharp criticism, especially from Kyrgios.
The Australian, never one to hold back, labeled the ruling “unfair” when it was announced, declaring that “fairness in tennis does not exist.” Now, the 29-year-old has reignited the spat, commenting on a Tennis365 Instagram post: “Like his team that gave him a prohibited substance gets more cringe every day.”
The jab came in response to praise from Sinner’s coach, Darren Cahill, who recently highlighted the 23-year-old’s maturity. Cahill shared a quote from the reigning Australian Open champ: “Don’t concern yourself with the criticism of someone that you wouldn’t take advice from.” He noted that Sinner’s composure has held firm amid “noise” from players, coaches, and media about his case.
Sinner, unfazed, brushed off Kyrgios’s barbs when asked. “I don’t think I have to answer this, to be honest,” he said. “In my mind, I know exactly what happened. I haven’t done anything wrong—that’s why I’m still here, still playing. I don’t want to respond to what Nick or other players say. The most important thing is having my people around me, people I trust who know the truth. That’s it.”
Kyrgios’s latest salvo landed just hours before he retired from his opening-round match at Indian Wells. Facing world No. 85 Botis van de Zandschulp, he dropped the first set 7-6 and trailed 3-0 in the second when a wayward backhand prompted a visit from the doctor to check his right wrist. Shortly after, he called it quits.
The setback adds to a rough 2025 for Kyrgios, who remains winless this year after losses at the Brisbane International and Australian Open in January. Having sat out all of 2024 due to injury, the 2022 Wimbledon finalist now faces fresh doubts about his future. “It’s all an experiment at this point,” he admitted post-match. “I was told I might never play again. But I feel like I’m right there—I can compete. If I can’t finish matches, though, it doesn’t really matter. I’m not sure what’s next.”
