Emotional Ex-ATP Player Wants to ‘Hug’ Nick Kyrgios Amid His Cocaine Suspension: “I Forgive You”

Nick Kyrgios was last seen in action in the first round of Wimbledon doubles.

Emotional Ex-ATP Player Wants to ‘Hug’ Nick Kyrgios Amid His Cocaine Suspension: “I Forgive You”

Nick Kyrgios (Image via The Times)

Nick Kyrgios has landed in hot water, and given his controversial status in the world of tennis, criticism has been pouring in from all corners, with little to no sympathy. Kyrgios has tested positive for a banned drug and is heavily censured for his past comments on Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek.

His scathing remarks on Sinner and Swiatek when they were dealing with their respective doping cases are well documented. He frequently used to tweet, condemning the anti-doping agencies and accusing both the top two players of deliberately using banned drugs to enhance their performance.

At the time, Kyrgios defended himself, saying that despite his past controversies, he had always been a clean player. But now many are saying he is no longer a ‘clean’ player.

The sample he provided during the ATP 250 Mallorca Open this year contained a metabolite of the banned drug cocaine. And as expected, the announcement from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) spread like wildfire.

His critics seized the opportunity to condemn him for his past remarks about Swiatek and Sinner, with many saying ‘Karma’ has finally knocked on the door. Kyrgios admitted his mistakes, pleaded with everyone to give him privacy, and chose to stay off social media for 28 days.

Amid all this, Jose Luis Clerc, also known by the nickname Batata, has come to Kyrgios’ defense. The retired Argentinian player, in his appearance on Punto de Quiebre on ESPN FANS YouTube channel, got emotional as he reassured the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up that everything would be alright in the end.

Nick, I want to tell you that I want to hug you, that I want to be with you in this very difficult moment of your life. What you did was very difficult, but you are taking responsibility, you are facing the whole world, as you have also done with the things that other players like Swiatek, Simona Halep, Sinner did.

Kyrgios has not faced a big ban as he has only been serving his provisional suspension since August 4. The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up has played four singles matches this year, and was last seen in action in the first round of Wimbledon doubles, where he played alongside Alexander Bublik.

You said a lot of things, but I know what you’re going through because I also had problems when I stopped playing… My voice is starting to crack. All I want to say is that I want to hug you, my dear… Go for it, life is beautiful. Get through this, get together with your loved ones, with the people who love you. I forgive you. I send you a big kiss and a big hug, as a tennis player and as a father.

Jose Luis Clerc added
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Simona Halep took a brutal dig at Nick Kyrgios

Although Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek have not reacted to Nick Kyrgios‘ suspension, Simona Halep did. Kyrgios used to criticize the retired Romanian WTA player when she tested positive for the banned drug roxadustat.

Nick Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios (Image via BBC)

Never kick someone when they’re down. Life has a strange way of changing positions. And an even stranger way of revealing the difference between an accident and a choice.

Simona Halep wrote on Instagram story

The ITIA initially imposed a four-year ban on the former World No.1. But her ban was reduced to nine months after she challenged ITIA’s verdict before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Swiatek, Sinner, and Halep failed the tests due to accidental contamination. The Pole consumed melatonin contaminated with trimetazidine, while the banned drug clostebol entered Sinner’s body during a physiotherapy session.

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