Nick Kyrgios Speaks Glowingly of Jannik Sinner After Years of Harsh Criticism: “Will Most Likely Go Down As One of the GOATs”

Nick Kyrgios has long found himself on the receiving end of harsh criticism because of his controversial conduct and comments. Also, the criticism that he directed toward Jannik Sinner due to his doping case has been well documented. Kyrgios was perhaps his harshest critic. His X at that time was filled with tweets condemning Sinner as well as the anti-doping agencies.

But in some interviews, Kyrgios also praised Sinner’s tennis to the surprise of the tennis fans. And now, during a Q&A session on Instagram, when a fan asked the Aussie to describe Sinner, Kyrgios ended up calling the five-time Grand Slam champion a future GOAT (greatest of all time).

One of the best ball strikers the game has ever seen. Absolute machine from the back of the court. Is able to turn defence into offence with any shot. Only real weakness was his serve wasn’t able to generate a ton of free points, now has improved that and is one of the best pinpoint servers we have. Hard to attack.

Sinner has worked hard on his serve and rarely gets broken. He ranks 11th on the list of most aces (454) smashed this season.

Volleys weren’t as natural as some of the other best players but has worked on his transition game well and is comfortable moving forward. Moves well for someone who is surprisingly tall. With more time [he] will most likely go down as one of the GOATs.

Nick Kyrgios added

At present, Sinner is nursing a knee injury, which forced him to withdraw from the Cincinnati Masters, the US Open, and now from the ongoing China Open. He played the finals of these events last year, handing the walkover to Carlos Alcaraz in Cincinnati, losing to him in the final of the US Open. In Beijing, he defeated Learner Tien.

Because of his withdrawals, he now leads the rankings table by just 1,370 points over World No. 2 Alexander Zverev, who clinched his first two Grand Slam titles at the French Open and the US Open by beating Flavio Cobolli and Ben Shelton, respectively.

Corrado Barazzutti is worried about Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner has yet to reveal any details about his knee injury. Former player Corrado Barazzutti said Sinner’s absence has worried him, urging the 25-year-old to share some details.

Let’s say I’m worried, yes, even though I don’t have a lot of information. There’s talk of extra-articular tendon inflammation. The problem is that we haven’t seen him on court for almost three months, and when a player like him has been absent for that long, it’s normal for doubts to arise. What I don’t understand is why they can’t provide a medical report and simply say: this is the problem, he’ll be back in three months, in four months.

Corrado Barazzutti said during his interview with Tuttosport

It’s uncertain where Sinner will play next. After the China Open and the Japan Open (where Carlos Alcaraz is competing), the tennis world will shift its focus toward the Shanghai Masters, which starts on October 7.

Sinner, the winner in Shanghai in 2024, was forced to retire mid-match in his third-round clash last year due to severe cramps. He has already lifted five Masters 1000s this season. Earlier this year, Sinner clinched titles in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome. He then beat Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final and defended his title.

Also read: Novak Djokovic Reveals Reason Behind Decision to Play China Open After 11 Years: “History of My Results Has Been Incredible”