"Not so innocent" - Nick Kyrgios takes up fight against Jannik Sinner once again after WADA calls for 2-year ban on Italian over doping case
Nick Kyrgios has again entered the fray against Jannik Sinner following the World Anti-Doping Agency's call for a two-year ban on the Italian over his doping case. Sinner was cleared of any wrongdoing even after failing two drug tests earlier this year.
In August 2024, it was revealed that Sinner had tested positive for the banned substance, an anabolic steroid called Clostebol, twice during the Indian Wells Masters in March. After an investigation by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, an independent tribunal determined that the World No. 1 bore "no fault or negligence" for the Anti-Doping Rule Violations.
After this ruling, on September 26, WADA appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the ITIA's decision in Sinner's doping case, arguing for a "period of ineligibility" ranging from one to two years.
Reacting to WADA's appeal, Nick Kyrgios, who has been outspoken and critical of the ITIA's ruling that Jannik Sinner was not at fault despite the presence of Clostebol in his system, took to his Instagram story to reiterate his stance on the matter and wrote:
"Hahahaha maybe not so innocent after all eh?"
Sinner is currently in Beijing defending his title at the 2024 China Open. He is the top seed in the tournament and kicked off his campaign by defeating Nicolas Jarry in the first round. Most recently, he secured his place in the quarterfinals by defeating Roman Safiullin in the second round
Jannik Sinner on WADA's appeal: "I'm very disappointed and also surprised"
![Jannik Sinner speaking at a press conference [Image Source: Getty Images]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/61a64-17275297992901-1920.jpg)
During the post-match press conference after his second-round win at the 2024 China Open, Jannik Sinner was asked about the World Anti-Doping Agency's appeal regarding his doping scandal, despite being cleared by the ITIA
In response, the Italian said he was "disappointed" and "surprised" at WADA's appeal.
"Well, we cannot control everything, no? Obviously I'm very disappointed and also surprised of this appeal, to be honest, because we had three hearings. All three hearings came out very positively for me. You know, I was not expecting it. I knew it couple of days ago, that they were going to appeal, that today it's going to go official," Sinner said.
"But yeah, it's a surprise. We always talk about the same thing. Maybe they just want to make sure that everything is in the right position. Yeah, I'm just surprised that they appealed."
Following his victory over Roman Safiullin, Sinner will face Jiri Lehecka in the quarterfinals, a player he has only faced once on the ATP Tour.