Nick Kyrgios takes jibe at Jannik Sinner as Laureus award nomination revoked after doping ban

Jannik Sinner's nomination for the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award has been withdrawn because of WADA's three-month ban on him.

Nick Kyrgios takes jibe at Jannik Sinner as Laureus award nomination revoked after doping ban

Jannik Sinner, Nick Kyrgios (Images via ATP/X)

Jannik Sinner had a dream season last year as he not only lifted two Grand Slam titles but ended the season with a 73-6 win-loss record, the best since Andy Murray‘s 78 wins in 2016. He carried on his impressive form to the next season by beating Alexander Zverev in straight sets to take home the Australian Open.

Despite a successful season, he won’t be nominated for the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award. His name has been withdrawn from the nomination list because his 2024 season was also marred by the doping scandal as the banned drug clostebol was found in his sample twice.

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Because of the negligence of his team members, the World No.1 has been handed a three-month ban by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). When Sinner’s fierce critic Nick Kyrgios came to know about Laureus’ announcement, he didn’t miss this opportunity to take another dig at the Italian.

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Well I mean sportsmanship does mean playing by the rules.

Nick Kyrgios wrote on X

Check out his tweet here:

Kyrgios has been slamming the three-time Grand Slam champion since the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced that Sinner’s failed doping tests. He has censured not just the anti-doping organizations for their verdicts on Sinner, but he didn’t shy away from accusing the South Tyrol native of using clostebol to enhance his performance.

Toni Nadal criticizes Jannik Sinner’s critics

Rafael Nadal‘s uncle, Toni Nadal, personally knows Jannik Sinner and is convinced that he became a victim of accidental contamination. Toni, who also coached the 22-time Grand Slam champion, said punishment should be only given to those who use performance-enhancing drugs to cheat.

Jannik Sinner (9)
Jannik Sinner (Image via ATP/X)

After WADA’s three-month ban, Nick Kyrgios declared that it was a “sad day for tennis“. Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka lamented that he didn’t “believe in a clean sport anymore.” Toni Nadal was surprised at how much Sinner has been criticized by his colleagues.

It’s true that some say others who weren’t ranked No. 1 received sanctions, but those cases were handled poorly before. I’m surprised that different players have taken a stance against him, including some at the highest level—and even some who not so clean themselves.

Toni Nadal told Marca

The 2024 ATP Finals winner’s ban will lift on May 4 and he may make his comeback at the Italian Open or at the French Open. Sinner, who recently attended the Gucci fashion show in Milan, where he sat in the front row with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, has planned to train at a private club in Monte Carlo to prepare for the clay season.