Boris Becker Says Nick Kyrgios Can’t Complain About Criticism as He Was ‘Very Harsh’ on Jannik Sinner After Failed Drug Test

Nick Kyrgios can’t complain about the criticism he is dealing with from all corners because he himself used to be pretty harsh on Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek, and Simona Halep when they failed drug tests, said former player Boris Becker. And these three were victims of accidental contamination.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced a few days ago that the sample that the Aussie provided during the ATP 250 Mallorca Open contained a metabolite of the banned drug cocaine. He has been provisionally suspended since August 4.

Halep was the first high-profile name to call out the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up, hitting back at him for his past criticism of her when she was going through probably the lowest phase of her life. Swiatek and Sinner have not yet reacted. But Becker did, during the Becker Petkovic podcast.

He tested positive for drugs. In this case, it was cocaine. Was I surprised? Not really, considering how I’ve seen him lately. And now the question is: did he take it before the match? If so, I think he’ll be banned for at least two years. Or did he take it after the match, so not during a tournament? In that case, the sanction would be less severe.

Boris Becker said (H/T: Tennis World USA)

The retired Romanian player tested positive for roxadustat, with the ITIA initially handing her a four-year ban. But upon her appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), her ban was reduced to just nine months. Clostebol contaminated Sinner during physiotherapy sessions. In Swiatek’s case, she consumed a melatonin medication contaminated with trimetazidine.

Of course, he can’t complain about the criticism. He was very harsh on Sinner in his doping case. Halep also commented on the matter, talking about karma. However, we are all human beings, and we make mistakes. So I hope he recovers, that he understands that he took the wrong path. Drugs have no place in sport anyway. But especially when it comes to young people: he’s only 31. I hope that, with the help of his friends, he can find himself again. I think he’s a bit lost.

Boris Becker added

Kyrgios admitted that he indeed took cocaine and urged everyone to give him and his family some privacy. He also chose to stay away from social media for 28 days.

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Jannik Sinner withdraws from the US Open

There were doubts about Jannik Sinner‘s US Open participation when she started visiting a doctor for a knee niggle. The Italian ace first withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters before he announced his withdrawal from the US Open as well.

Sinner, the winner in New York in 2024, couldn’t defend his title last year as his arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz beat him in the final. In 2024, he clinched his first title in the tournament by cruising past home favorite Taylor Fritz.

Sinner will be skipping a Major for the first time since making his debut at the 2019 US Open. The 25-year-old, however, has already clinched a Grand Slam title this season.

After losing to eventual runner-up Novak Djokovic in the semifinal of the Australian Open and to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round of the French Open, Sinner ended his Grand Slam title drought by defeating reigning French Open champion Alexander Zverev. It was his sixth title of the season, after victories in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome.

His arch-rival Alcaraz, however, will be in action in singles matches at Flushing Meadows. After recovering from a wrist injury, the seven-time Grand Slam champion returned to action in the US Open mixed doubles, which he played alongside Serena Williams. They lost in the quarterfinals.

Also read: Andy Roddick Makes Gael Monfils Comment While Criticizing Stan Wawrinka’s US Open Wildcard Decision