Novak Djokovic agrees with Nick Kyrgios as Jannik Sinner doping case labelled 'awful'
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Novak Djokovic has joined his new doubles partner Nick Kyrgios in criticising the way the authorities dealt with the doping cases of Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek. Tennis has been rocked by the sport’s two world No.1s testing positive for banned substances during 2024. Sinner failed two drug tests yet was cleared of any wrongdoing by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, who accepted his explanation of unintentional contamination.
Swiatek, meanwhile, served a one-month suspension after testing positive for a banned heart medication in August. Kyrgios is back from an 18-month injury lay-off and was in a typically provocative mood ahead of his return at the Brisbane International.
“Two world No.1s both getting done for doping is disgusting for our sport,” said the controversial Australian. “It’s a horrible look. Tennis integrity right now, and everyone knows it but no one wants to speak about it, it’s awful.”. Kyrgios went on to openly question Sinner’s innocence after he tested positive for banned substance clostebol. The Italian explained that he tested positive because his physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi had been using an over-the-counter spray to treat a cut on his own hand and had accidentally contaminated him.
“I know that people don’t like when I just speak out about things, be honest about things,” Kyrgios added. “I can get emotional, I can throw a racket, but that’s nothing compared to cheating and taking performance-enhancing drugs. That’s ridiculous. Obviously there are things out there that could speed up healing, help me get back to prime level, but that’s just not who I am.”.
