Nick Kyrgios has labelled the recent doping controversies involving former world number ones Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek as “disgusting” for tennis, calling the handling of the cases “horrific.”
Sinner, who tested positive twice for clostebol, faces a potential suspension after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, despite being initially cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). Meanwhile, Swiatek served a one-month ban for testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine, which the ITIA attributed to contamination from melatonin.
Kyrgios, critical of what he sees as inconsistencies and double standards in tennis’s doping regulations, said the incidents have tarnished the sport’s integrity.
As Kyrgios prepares to return to competitive play at the Brisbane International after an 18-month injury absence, he highlighted the impact of the doping cases on tennis’s reputation.
The controversies have sparked broader debates about fairness, with Simona Halep—currently appealing her own doping suspension—pointing to perceived unequal treatment compared to the cases of Sinner and Swiatek.
Despite ITIA’s denials of differential treatment, Kyrgios voiced frustration over the sport’s reluctance to address these issues openly. Beyond the controversy, Kyrgios is set to play singles and partner Novak Djokovic in doubles, where Djokovic will pursue his 100th Tour-level title.
