Nick Kyrgios ripped a troll as "a peanut" after they appeared to insinuate that the Australian shouldn't speak like a pro player because he hasn't played in a long time.
In case you missed it, WTA world No. 2 Iga Swiatek tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ) and accepted a one-month ban. A few months earlier, it was also announced that top-ranked ATP star Jannik Sinner failed a doping test. But unlike in the Pole's case, the Italian didn't get a provisional nor a real suspension.
As the Swiatek news was making rounds on social media, 334th-ranked ATP player Benjamin Lock remarked that it was "wild" seeing what happened in tennis this year.
"1 month ban. Its not even April fools day. Dont play with us like that. Two number 1s in the world failing drug tests in the same year is wild," the Zimbabwean wrote.
Kyrgios agreed with Lock's observation and labeled tennis "cooked."
"OUR SPORT IS COOKED," the 29-year-old wrote.
And that statement didn't sit well with one X user.
"'Our' sport (expletive) you dont even play," the troll wrote.
Kyrgios, who confirmed his comeback earlier this month, thought it was a nonsense comment to make and remarked that social media has given the opportunity to pretty much everyone to have a voice and opinion.
"Playing the aus open? Whens the last time you played a professional tournament (laughing emoji) god social media has given peanuts a voice hilarious," the seven-time ATP champion wrote back.
Kyrgios was limited to just one tournament in the last two seasons
After a career-best season in 2022, the former world No. 13 injured his knee while preparing for the 2023 season. Initially, he didn't think it was something too serious but it was and he missed the 2023 Australian Open to undergo surgery.
When Kyrgios kicked off his 2023 season in June, he seriously injured his wrist and had to go under the knife once again. And he hasn't played on the Tour since then.
At one point, the 29-year-old feared he may not be able to resume his career. But those concerns are a thing of the past as he is set to launch his comeback in the first week of the 2025 season in Brisbane and then also play at the Australian Open.
Just recently, Kyrgios offered a very encouraging update on his state.
"Honestly, this is probably the best I've felt in two years. I played that amazing year in 2022. Then, at the finals in Wimbledon and the US Open, that's when I started feeling some issues in my wrist. I had that wrist reconstruction, and now I'm feeling amazing. It was a 15% miracle chance that I was going to get back to playing at this level and here we are. To get back out there in front of the home fans is going to be sick. I am feeling fit and healthy, and I am excited for my return to tennis following some time out of the sport," he told Nine News after confirming his Brisbane comeback.
Novak Djokovic told Kyrgios he didn't look like someone who was out for a long time
The former world No. 13 didn't compete at Wimbledon but he was there to work as an analyst and commentator. During his stay, he also met Djokovic and the two arranged a practice session. For the Australian, it was a perfect opportunity to test himself and see where he was at.
After the session concluded, Djokovic delivered a message to Kyrgios that deeply touched the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up.
I was hitting with Novak and when he said to me, It doesnt look like youve had surgery. And that was a big motivation to say like maybe Im actually making some inroads and some progress into getting back because I didnt really know. That was a big drive for me... so, if he didnt say that, I dont know if I would have been motivated and if I would have kept pushing on the thought, but that was definitely a big part of the journey when he said that to me," Kyrgios recently recalled.
Recently, the 29-year-old also said he doesn't expect to see many happy faces about his return on the Tour. But he also underlined that he will be a man on a mission and determined to land a Grand Slam.
