Nick Kyrgios continues to have a go at Jannik Sinner following the Word No. 1 failed dope tests in March for Clostebol. Sinner claimed the positive results were due to unintentional contamination, but Kyrgios refused to accept his explanation, taking a dig at the Italian player time and again, even referring to him as ‘the Grinch.’ While some accuse Kyrgios of harboring a “personal vendetta” against Sinner, the outspoken Australian athlete has stood by his opinion. Recently, a fan page again criticized Kyrgios for his harsh remarks. Despite the backlash, the Aussie player remained unapologetic, proving once more that he’s unafraid to stand up for his beliefs.

When Sinner claimed his innocence and was let off without a ban by an independent tribunal, Kyrgios posted on X, “Ridiculous – whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned substance (steroid)…you should be gone for two years. Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream…yeah nice.” The Aussie player also targeted those who extended their support to Sinner. Despite Kyrgios’ harsh words, Sinner didn’t bother to respond. Instead, he focused on his game. However, ahead of the 2025 Australian Open, he was asked how he deals with Kyrgios’ non-stop criticism and the World No. 1 came up with a very straightforward response.

“how do I block it? It’s not that you just put it in a part and you just say I don’t think any more about this. In my mind, I know exactly what happened, and that’s how I block it, no?” said Sinner. Amidst this, an X page named Stop Hate took a jibe at Nick Kyrgios slamming his constant harsh words against Sinner. The page also highlighted Sinner’s spirit to remain silent and concentrate on his game. This X post soon grabbed Kyrgios’ attention and he replied in his usual tone. “Hypocrite? I’ve never failed drug tests,” commented Kyrgios taking another shot at the Italian star. The Aussie player’s words highlighted that this controversy is far from over.

Although Kyrgios has been constantly criticizing Sinner since August for his failed dope tests, there was a time a couple of years ago when he was fond of Sinner’s game and used to shower praises on him. Even now, Kyrgios has highlighted that his criticism is against the fact that Sinner has been treated differently by the ITIA, not against Sinner’s playing skills.

Nick Kyrgios wasn’t always a Jannik Sinner critic

In 2021, when Jannik Sinner participated in the Erste Bank Open, he won 18 sets on the tournament’s indoor hard courts. His performance surprised the fraternity including Australia’s Nick Kyrgios. Reflecting on Sinner’s talent, the Aussie wrote, “He is another level. That’s for sure, played him in Washington doubles. Never played someone who hit the ball as hard.”

Kyrgios also complimented Sinner during his last US Open run. When the renowned journalist Ben Rothenberg highlighted how ITIA revealed the Italian’s doping ordeal right before his run at the Flushing Meadows, Kyrgios, who otherwise disagrees with Rothenberg’s opinion, echoed his tune for the first time and lauded Sinner for performing well despite the doping controversy.

“Hard not to think about how much more fun this Jannik Sinner run would have felt if we were still in the dark about his whole anti-doping saga this year. The timing of that, and the way it showed a lack of transparency at the top of tennis for months, just leaves a bad taste,” Rothenberg posted on X. “One of your better tweets. Nonetheless not easy to deal with all of this going on and still performing the way he is. Definitely the favorite now,” Kyrgios wrote while responding to Rothenberg’s post.

However, as Nick Kyrgios stays firm with his opinion on preferential treatment in doping cases, his verbal jibes at Sinner might continue. If these two players cross paths in the upcoming Australian Open, the atmosphere will be electric, that’s for sure. Who will you be backing?