"Jannik Sinner doesn't play with abusers"; "Nick Kyrgios' been f**king annoying" - Fans irked by Aussie's "bitter" remarks amid doping tests row

Fans reacted with a mix of sarcasm and frustration largely directed at Nick Kyrgios for his comments about Jannik Sinner amid the latter's doping saga. The Aussie refuted a call to play doubles with the Italian stating that he only plays with "clean players."

Sinner tested positive twice for a performance-enhancing drug called Clostebol in March. His initial suspensions were lifted due to his team's successful appeals. The news about the failed drug tests was made public in August with the ITIA and an independent tribunal providing a 'no fault' verdict to the World No. 1.

Kyrgios has been vocal in criticizing both the authorities and Jannik Sinner over the handling of the doping controversy, consistently advocating for harsher penalties.

During a recent Instagram Q&A, a fan asked if the 29-year-old would consider playing doubles with Sinner. Kyrgios firmly rejected the idea, responding with:

"I only play with CLEAN players"

Fans on X defended Sinner, the two-time Grand Slam champion, while calling out Kyrgios for his involvement in scandals.

"And Sinner doesn't play with losers and abusers so," one fan wrote.

One fan mentioned that Kyrgios has played with Viktor Troicki who had received a ban for failing to provide a blood sample. They wrote:

"He literally played with Troicky"

"No one plays with ABUSERS 🫡" another fan wrote.

Here are some more fan reactions to Nick Kyrgios' comments about Jannik Sinner.

"Have no real opinions on Sinner’s case but Kyrgios has been so fucking annoying all through it," one fan wrote.

"This man has a lot to say yet he has zero career achievements and he is an abuser," another fan wrote.

"He is so bitter and jealous I'm crying... his one side beef with sinner is kinda pathetic. He is taking it to next level and just sounds like he is fishing for every ounce of attention he can get because without other players names on him mouth none would look at him twice," yet another fan wrote.

Recently, WADA appealed the ITIA's ruling on Sinner's case and is seeking a two-year ban to be imposed on the World No. 1.

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Nick Kyrgios' subtle jab at Jannik Sinner when WADA announced they would appeal ITIA's ruling on Italian's doping case

Jannik Sinner at the 2024 China Open (Image: Getty)

On September 26, WADA expressed dissatisfaction with the ITIA's ruling in Jannik Sinner's doping case, seeking a two-year ban for the Italian. Nick Kyrgios reacted by reposting the news on his Instagram Story, taking a subtle jab at Sinner by writing:

"Hahahaha maybe not so innocent after all eh?"

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic also reacted to the news by stating that the appeal is not good for tennis, in general. Sinner also expressed his surprise at the appeal. Currently, the World No. 1 is competing in the Shanghai Masters after finishing as runner-up to Alcaraz in the China Open.