"We haven’t taken steroids" - Nick Kyrgios hits back at criticism against himself & Denis Shapovalov over Jannik Sinner doping comments
Nick Kyrgios, Denis Shapovalov and Tennys Sandgren have been outspoken about Jannik Sinner's failed drug tests; the trio is not on board with how the authorities handled the Italian's situation. Upon being called out for their comments, Kyrgios defended himself and the other two by referring to their drug-free past.
Sinner tested positive twice for a performance-enhancing steroid called Clostebol in March. He was provisionally suspended on both occasions but was cleared to play soon after as his appeals against the tests were accepted.
It was subsequently revealed that the World No. 1 was inadvertently contaminated with the substance through his physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi. The physio was applying an over-the-counter cream to treat a cut on his own hand, and the contamination seemingly occurred when he was treating Sinner.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and an independent tribunal found that the reigning Australian Open champion did not intentionally or knowingly consume the substance. However, Sinner lost his ranking points (400) and prize money ($325,000) from Indian Wells during which the tests were conducted.
Kyrgios, Shapovalov and Sandgren took to social media to express their displeasure with the controversy. The Aussie labeled it 'ridiculous' and called for a two-year ban for Sinner.
Shapovalov, who was disqualified controversially during the 2024 Citi Open quarterfinals, lamented that there were 'different rules for different players'.
Sandgren echoed both Kyrgios and Shapovalov's remarks as the American labeled the situation 'ridiculous' while also stating that there was a 'crazy double standard' in the treatment of players.
An X account targeted the trio and claimed it was 'insanely rich' of them to be the 'most outspoken players about Sinner not being punished enough.'
Kyrgios responded by reminding them about the trio's clean past.
"We haven’t taken steroids," Nick Kyrgios wrote.
Jannik Sinner's drug test controversy has rocked the tennis world. Several personalities have commented on the situation including Liam Broady, Eva Lys, Kamil Majchrzak and Rennae Stubbs.
Nick Kyrgios questions Jannik Sinner's punishment following failed drug tests
Nick Kyrgios' initial tweet where he called for a two-year ban for Jannik Sinner was questioned by another X user. They stated that the the amount of substance in the Italian's system was so minimal, 'it wouldn't even enhance the performance of a little animal.'
In response, Kyrgios questioned the punishment received by Sinner. The Aussie asked why the World No. 1 lost ranking points and prize money if he did not do anything wrong.
"Then why did they take prize money and points from Indian wells? So he did something wrong or he didn’t? Because they did say he failed 2 tests," Nick Kyrgios pointed out.
Notably, Sinner's lawyers stated that the amount of substance in his system was "less than a billionth of a gram."