“He reaps what he sows”: Karen Khachanov delivers brutal Nick Kyrgios verdict after cocaine positive

Monday, 31 August 2026 at 21:00

Karen Khachanov has delivered a brutal assessment of Nick Kyrgios after the Australian was provisionally suspended following a positive cocaine test, making clear that he has little sympathy for the former Wimbledon finalist. The Russian's comments are particularly striking given Kyrgios' long history of publicly criticizing other players involved in doping cases.

Kyrgios has now found himself at the centre of an anti-doping case of his own after testing positive for a cocaine metabolite in a sample collected at the ATP event in Mallorca on June 22. The Australian has accepted responsibility for the result and described his cocaine use as a “huge mistake”, but his situation has inevitably brought his previous comments about other players back into the spotlight.

For Khachanov, that history is impossible to ignore. Kyrgios spent months questioning the treatment of Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek during their respective doping cases, becoming one of the most outspoken critics of how tennis handled those situations. Now the Russian believes the Australian has been forced to experience the scrutiny he once directed at others.

Khachanov was asked about the reaction among players on the Tour before being invited to give his own opinion. He admitted that he had not spoken to other players about the situation, but his personal assessment of Kyrgios was considerably more direct.

Khachanov has no sympathy for Kyrgios

The Russian - in a conversation with First & Red - focused first on Kyrgios' tendency to remain at the centre of controversy even during periods when he was not competing regularly. “I would say that Kyrgios is the type of person who constantly attracts negativity and attention.”

Khachanov then expanded on his criticism, pointing specifically to the months Kyrgios spent attacking other players and questioning their treatment by tennis authorities.

For the Russian, the fact that Kyrgios is now facing his own anti-doping case makes that previous behaviour particularly relevant. “He always loved criticizing others, even when he wasn't playing, tweeting constantly and so on," he said. "And now that it has backfired on him, what can I say? He reaps what he sows.”

Read also

The Russian's strongest words came when he was asked about whether he felt sympathy for Kyrgios. While the Australian has accepted responsibility for his cocaine use and acknowledged that he made a mistake, Khachanov offered little understanding for his situation.

“So honestly, I'm not surprised at all. I don't even feel sorry for him. It's a logical consequence. He got caught doing what he wanted.”

Khachanov recalls Kyrgios' Sinner and Swiatek criticism

Kyrgios' previous comments about doping are central to Khachanov's argument. The Australian repeatedly criticized the handling of Sinner's Clostebol case, questioning why the Italian had been allowed to continue competing and later attacking the three-month suspension agreed with the World Anti-Doping Agency.

He was also highly vocal about Swiatek's case and regularly presented himself as a fierce critic of the sport's anti-doping procedures.

Kyrgios returned to the Tour at Brisbane International after 18 months away from the courts

Nick Kyrgios training before Brisbane International 2025

Khachanov specifically remembered one of Kyrgios' previous statements about playing alongside athletes who had been involved in doping cases. The Russian used it to highlight what he sees as the biggest irony surrounding the Australian's current situation.

“Also, last year he was writing about Sinner or other players, saying something like he didn't play doubles with people who took doping substances.” He then delivered his verdict in a single sentence. “And in the end, look what happened. It backfired on him.”

Read also

There is an important distinction between the cases. Kyrgios has acknowledged responsibility for his cocaine use, while Sinner's Clostebol case involved contamination that was ultimately accepted as unintentional. Swiatek's case similarly centred on how a prohibited substance entered her system rather than an intentional attempt to gain a sporting advantage.

Khachanov's criticism is therefore less about claiming that the cases are identical and more about Kyrgios' previous willingness to judge other players. After months of questioning Sinner and Swiatek, the Australian is now facing an anti-doping case himself — leaving his old comments under a very different spotlight.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

See author's posts

claps 0visitors 0

Zheng Qinwen donates 1 million yuan to support devastating Tibet disaster relief efforts

Live US Open ATP Day Two | Carlos Alcaraz passes first test with commanding straight-sets win over Safiulin