"We actually had a good relationship" - Nick Kyrgios details interactions with Jannik Sinner prior to doping suspension

Saturday, 12 July 2025 at 04:30

Sinner and Kyrgios shake hands at the net in Miami after their match

Tennis star Nick Kyrgios has been one of the most vocal critics regarding the suspension handed to Jannik Sinner for anti-doping violations, but the Aussie recently revealed he and the World No.1 were actually on good terms before controversy struck.

Sinner tested positive for Clostebol at last year's Indian Wells tournament, and was handed a three-month ban from the sport earlier this year after a lengthy legal battle. Several in the tennis community pointed at the leniency of the Italian's sentence, with Kyrgios amongst those believing Sinner had received preferential treatment due to his superstar status.

Kyrgios claims to have had no issues with Sinner before the suspension

Once the news of Sinner's doping violations broke out, Kyrgios was one of several who believed the Italian should be punished, citing a two year ban from the sport would be appropriate. However, the former World No.13 was irate when it was revealed Sinner would only be handed a three-month bad, and took to every platform to lambaste the decision, and Sinner.

With their relationship not likely to be reparable, Kyrgios revealed he and Sinner were once on good terms.

"We have never messaged before." began Kyrgios during his appearance on TalkSport, a British radio show. "The funny thing is, we actually had a decent relationship before the whole [suspension] came around. We actually had a fine relationship. We played each other, and we were fine then. It was a zoo of a match, it was in Miami. I got three code violations and nearly got defaulted.
"It was hilarious because I was going nuts that match, the crowd was like a soccer match, and [Jannik] Sinner was sitting so quietly. I knew this guy was going to be good because he was so firm mentally, he did not get bothered by anything. He was so composed. He did not fall for any of my circus theatrics or anything.
"We actually had a good relationship. Now we probably won’t ever speak a word to each other ever again."

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Sinner would record a 7-6(3) 6-3 victory over Kyrgios in their fourth round encounter at the 2022 Miami Open. The duo have not crossed paths since, with Kyrgios battling several injuries whereas Sinner is through to his maiden Wimbledon final.

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Arthur Ajayi

Growing up in a household where soccer was king, my earliest memories are filled with chants from packed stadiums and the rhythm of a ball being passed across neighborhood streets. But somewhere along the way, the quiet elegance and raw emotion of tennis pulled me in. What began as a curiosity became a lifelong passion; not just for the sport itself, but for the stories it tells: of grit, of heartbreak, of improbable comebacks and human resilience.

As a tennis writer, I bring the observational lens of someone who didn’t grow up in the sport, but fell in love with it as an outsider; a perspective that lets me see both its technical beauty and its emotional depth. Over the years working with TennisUpToDate, I’ve had the privilege of reaching more than 3.5 million readers worldwide, with one of my features ranking among the site’s top three articles.

With a background in storytelling and a creative mind always searching for meaning beyond the scoreboard, I aim to craft narratives that go deeper than results and rankings. Whether it’s a rising star breaking through or a veteran fighting off Father Time, I try to capture the heartbeat behind the headlines.

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