Nick Kyrgios apparently took a jibe at former World No. 1 Boris Becker after the German seemingly defended Jannik Sinner in the Indian Wells doping saga. Sinner is facing trial in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for failing two drug tests for clostebol, a performance-enhancing prohibited substance.
He was then cleared of wrongdoing by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which declared "No Fault or Negligence" on the Italian's part. The ITIA docked the prize money he earned at the 2024 Indian Wells Open but didn't impose any ban.
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) challenged ITIA's ruling and moved CAS, seeking 12-24 months of ineligibility for the World No. 1.
Legal proceedings aside, the tennis world stands divided on the developments, with one fraction supporting Sinner and the other opposing him. Kyrgios falls in the second category as he has been questioning the Italian's morals and ITIA's functioning.
Also, the Aussie hasn't even spared Sinner's supporters, including Andy Roddick. Six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker became his latest target on New Year's Eve after the German ostensibly tweeted for the Italian.
"We should take time and read the facts," the 57-year-old wrote on X (formerly Twitter), quoting a pro-Sinner tweet.
Becker's statement drew criticism from a tennis fan, whose tweet later received a response from Nick Kyrgios.
"Don't trust a criminal brother," the Aussie wrote, apparently referencing Becker's bank fraud case.
Nick Kyrgios: "I really want to play Sinner... I'm waiting for it man"
In a recent episode of the Nothing Major podcast, Nick Kyrgios voiced his urge to play against Jannik Sinner to prove a point.
"Let's be honest. I just want to go out there and I really want to play Sinner. Like I'm waiting for it man," he said.
The former World No. 13 vowed to declare war on the two-time Grand Slam champion if they were to be drawn for a match at the Australian Open.
"Well, I thought about this and I've been thinking, I've been talking about it a little bit, like if I played him in Australian Open, like I would get every single person in the crowd to just like get on him. Like I would just turn it into an absolute riot. Like I would lose all respect, all respect would go out the window and I would just do anything to win," he added.
Interestingly, Nick Kyrgios has already faced Jannik Sinner once. It happened at the 2022 Miami Masters, where they came face to face in Round of 16 and the Italian prevailed 7-6(3), 6-3.