Nick Kyrgios always finds a way to be the center of attention. Although he has practically not played on the ATP tour for the past two years due to injuries, the Australian ace has continued to make headlines by fiercely criticizing current world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
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The story is well known to all tennis fans. The Italian champion was found positive for Clostebol in spring 2024 and after being found innocent by ITIA had to undergo the appeal of WADA which opened a new trial before the CAS in Lausanne. This new trial does not yet have a certain date, but the most likely hypothesis is that it will take place at the beginning of March. Sinner's team and WADA have chosen their referees who will make up the arbitration panel, while the appointment of the CAS is awaited.
Kyrgios has never believed Jannik's version of events and has not missed opportunities to attack him in recent months. The 2022 Wimbledon Championships finalist has taken an almost obsessive behavior towards the 2-time Grand Slam champion, infuriating his fans who have asked the ATP to take action for hate speech.
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Sinner on the other hand has always remained focused on tennis and has never responded to the provocations of the talent from Canberra. The two players could face each other at the 2025 Australian Open and it would be a truly epic clash, in which the Australian would do everything possible to defeat the 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria.
Bartoli speaks about Kyrgios
Many believe that Nick is exaggerating his attacks on Jannik. In a recent interview with RMC Sports, former WTA star Marion Bartoli commented on this feud: I am not surprised, because Kyrgios lives and breathes nothing but provocative statements.
I would remind you that this is a player who was capable of saying absolute horrors to Stan Wawrinka, who is one of the most polite, most loved and most respected players on a tennis court, at a Masters 1000 in the middle of a match.
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She also added: We dont even know whats going through his head, Im not even going to tell you what he said, those who follow tennis know. Now, with all his provocative statements, after a while, you just get fed up. Its enough!
In any case, Sinner isnt going to respond. And if he plays it on the court, even if its still tennis, on the one hand we have a player who is world No 1, has just won two Grand Slams and has become virtually unbeatable, and on the other a Nick Kyrgios who hasnt played in official competition since June 13, 2023.
The Australian ace will begin his 2025 at the Brisbane International, where he will also compete in doubles alongside 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. Nick will then fly to Melbourne Park for the 2025 Australian Open, where he hopes to achieve a prestigious result in front of his fans. Kyrgios knows that 2025 could be his last chance to win a major title before his retirement.
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Too many provocations
In the last few hours, former French player Nicolas Mahut has also harshly criticized him for his exaggerated behavior towards Sinner.
Nick's response was not long in coming. "I dont know if theres a back-and-forth. Nicolas Mahut, on a global level, hasnt made inroads like I have, so Ill let that be. And I dont think the world necessarily cares too much about what Nicolas Mahut has to say he explained in an interview with Telecom Asia Sport.
"I have people like Mahut telling me to be realistic. He was an amazing doubles player, a Grand Slam champion, no doubt, but he didnt have the singles career Ive had. Thats probably why he has his opinion. But on the singles court, he never had the belief I have, so that opinion means nothing to me. Ive achieved way more things playing singles than Mahut could have in his entire career. That belief is what separates players. Federer, Nadal, Djokovic they were the greatest because people were defeated before they even stepped on the court with them. I dont want to be that player. Ill always back my ability and my belief he concluded.
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The 2022 Wimbledon finalist has succeeded in his goal of drawing attention to himself, but everyone's hope is that he will return to playing tennis well and give a show to the fans. Nick can still be an asset for the men's tour, which definitely needs a character like him on the tennis court.Kyrgios seemed to have found the right way in 2022 with remarkable results, before injuries plunged him into the abyss.
