"I want fairness": Nick Kyrgios shuts down claims of 'bitterness' over Jannik Sinner's doping saga, denies conflict of interest as US Open commentator

Nick Kyrgios has shut down claims that his incessant attacks on Jannik Sinner in light of the Italian's doping controversy have been motivated by 'bitterness." Kyrgios also asserted that he had no personal animosity with the World No. 1, emphasizing that he would hold the same stance regardless of the player involved.

Kyrgios has been outspoken in his criticism of the apparent double standards in the handling of Sinner's positive tests for banned anabolic steroid Clostebol during the Indian Wells Masters, even calling for the World No. 1 to receive a two-year ban despite his "no fault" verdict.

A user on social media took issue with the conflict of interest in Nick Kyrgios providing commentary for ESPN at the 2024 US Open while continuing to attack Jannik Sinner on social media. The user denounced Kyrgios' "relentless fixation" with the World No. 1, calling it emblematic of his "bitterness."

"This relentless fixation on Sinner from Kyrgios—constantly dredging up old narratives—has turned the Australian into a sad caricature, someone reduced to playing the role of the social media court jester. It’s a tragic fall from grace for a player whose tennis we once admired. Unfortunately, the same can no longer be said for the man," the user wrote.

"So, to Jannik: pay him no mind. Focus on your game. As for Kyrgios, his bitterness only serves to make him more irrelevant as the sport moves forward without him," they added.

A fan rushed to Kyrgios' defense, sarcastically arguing that the bigger conflict of interest was Jannik Sinner's coach Darren Cahill and Coco Gauff's coach Brad Gilbert continuing to work for ESPN while being full-time coaches.

"Yeah @NickKyrgios is a problem but doper caught doping twice, is not 🤡🎪 cahill, gilbert being full time coaches while working for espn also not a conflict of interest! Joined Twitter in June 2024🙄 You really are clueless 🤡," the fan posted.

Although the fan was evidently backing Nick Kyrgios, the Australian involved them in his rebuttal and dismissed the accusations of bitterness, taking a jibe at the user for "struggling for engagement" on their posts.

The 29-year-old also emphasized that his criticism of the Italian wasn't personal, asserting that he had "thoroughly enjoyed" commentating on Sinner's win over Jack Draper in the semifinals of the US Open.

"Haha I’m not bitter at all. It’s not about sinner. I just called his match 🤣 thoroughly enjoyed it. It could have been anyone in that position - I just want fairness. But as for you, I’ll reply and help you get engagement as you are really struggling in that department 🤣🤣🤷🏽‍♂️🏃," Nick Kyrgios posted.

"I don’t want to respond on what Nick Kyrgios said, everyone is free to say everything" - Jannik Sinner on potentially being interviewed by Aussie at US Open 2024

Jannik Sinner at the 2024 US Open (Source: Getty)

Jannik Sinner addressed the possibility of being interviewed by Nick Kyrgios at the 2024 US Open after his second-round win over Alex Michelsen. The Italian asserted that he was unfazed by the prospect, as he had no intention of responding to any of Kyrgios' claims.

Sinner also highlighted his calm nature, emphasizing that he tended to forget things and move on from them quickly, while acknowledging that Nick Kyrgios was entitled to his opinion.

"I don’t know. I don’t want to respond on what he (Nick Kyrgios) said. Everyone is free to say everything. It’s ok. If that is the case, let’s see. It’s gonna be different for sure," Sinner said.

"I don’t know what to say. Maybe I say something now and then the reaction will be something else. I’m always quite relaxed. I’m someone who forgets things quite fast. Everyone is free to say everything. It is what it is," he added.

Jannik Sinner is through to his maiden US Open final. The Italian will face the winner of the blockbuster all-American showdown between Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe as he chases his second Grand Slam title.