Nick Kyrgios has once again voiced his strong opinions regarding the recent doping suspensions of top players Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek. His comments come in light of their appearances in the Wimbledon finals, which he argues cast a shadow over the integrity of tennis.
Jannik Sinner, the current ATP world No. 1, received a three-month suspension that concluded shortly before the 2025 Italian Open. This ban was the result of a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after he tested positive for clostebol during the 2024 Indian Wells Open. On the other hand, Iga Swiatek faced a one-month ban after testing positive for trimetazidine, in a situation many deem unfortunate, as she claims the banned substance was the result of contaminated melatonin tablets—a legal supplement widely used by athletes.
Kyrgios has been particularly critical of the Italian tennis star, asserting that he remains skeptical of Sinner’s explanation regarding his positive test. In an interview with the i Paper, Kyrgios elaborated on how he feels their presence in the final of such a prestigious tournament is detrimental to the sport’s image. However, he also acknowledged that the decisions regarding their suspensions are in the past.
He stated, “At the end of the day, the decision has been made, and it’s kind of in the past. Do I think it’s a good look for the sport that Swiatek and Sinner are in the final at Wimbledon after serving a ban? I don’t think it’s a good look for the sport.” While Kyrgios recognizes their talent on the court, he expressed a desire for a more transparent narrative within the sport.
The Australian, who reached the Wimbledon finals in 2022, expressed concern about the current landscape of tennis, noting that while the gameplay is at a high standard, the sport lacks vibrant personalities and rivalries. He remarked, “At the moment, tennis is pretty boring, to be honest. There’s not many rivalries.” Kyrgios referenced exciting matchups on the women’s circuit, such as those involving Emma Raducanu, Aryna Sabalenka, and Amanda Anisimova, which he believes have fostered more engaging rivalries than those currently seen among the men.
He further explained that the nature of sports often thrives on the excitement generated by competition between players who may not see eye to eye. Kyrgios pointed out that the absence of past legends like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal has left a gap in the sport that needs to be filled by emerging players. “Alcaraz and Sinner are going to be carrying the torch for the next 10 to 15 years,” he noted, recognizing their potential to shape the future of tennis.
Despite being a polarizing figure in the tennis community, Kyrgios continues to find ways to draw attention to the sport. Recently, he shared his aspirations to organize a “Battle of the Sexes” match against Aryna Sabalenka, further demonstrating his intent to spark interest and excitement in tennis.
