The drama surrounding Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has taken another contentious turn as he continues to feud with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, a conflict now laced with accusations of personal vendettas, doping allegations, and salacious rumors.
Kyrgios, 29, has been vocal about his disdain for leniency in anti-doping cases, particularly taking aim at Sinner, who served a one-month ban for an unintentional doping violation last year. Kyrgios previously labeled tennis “cooked” over the incident and has been relentless in calling for harsher action. However, the feud has now extended beyond the courts.
Fueling the Fire: Accusations of a Personal Vendetta
On a recent episode of the Served podcast, tennis commentator Jon Wertheim suggested that Kyrgios’ attacks on Sinner stem from personal reasons, specifically Sinner’s relationship with Russian tennis player Anna Kalinskaya, Kyrgios’ ex-girlfriend.
“This is just a personal vendetta,” Wertheim said. “There’s a woman involved here, who also happens to be a player. Sinner has been relentlessly bullied for months, and it doesn’t seem to have anything to do with genuine concerns about doping.”
Kyrgios and Kalinskaya had a brief and publicized relationship that ended in 2020, with Kalinskaya later stating the two were no longer friends. Wertheim’s comments sparked immediate backlash from Kyrgios.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Kyrgios wrote, “I couldn’t care less where Sinner lays his wood. I’m in a happy relationship. I just don’t like people cheating the system. Roddick—never thought you were a sheep, my guy.”
A Heated Exchange with Andy Roddick
Former U.S. Open champion Andy Roddick also weighed in on Kyrgios’ behavior, criticizing him for his public comments, including a recent spat with Cruz Hewitt, the 16-year-old son of Australian tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt. Cruz had posted a photo with Sinner after a practice session at the Australian Open, prompting Kyrgios to comment, “Love ya Cruz, but this is wild” and “Thought we were boys,” accompanied by broken-heart emojis and a needle emoji, implying doping.
Roddick didn’t hold back on the Served podcast, calling Kyrgios’ actions hypocritical and inappropriate. “Imagine, as an almost 30-year-old man, going into the comments of a 16-year-old and making it about yourself. It’s ridiculous,” Roddick said. “He’s a tennis influencer who lives for likes and thrives in the comments section.”
Kyrgios Fires Back at Wertheim
In response to Wertheim’s suggestion of a personal vendetta, Kyrgios didn’t mince words. “How does this guy still have a job in tennis media?” Kyrgios wrote on X. “Guy looking like that commenting on female tennis players. Please zip your mouth.”
Kyrgios referenced Wertheim’s controversial past comments about female players, including a hot-mic incident where Wertheim disparaged the looks of top player Barbora Krejcikova, leading to his temporary removal from on-air duties.
The Bigger Picture: Doping Allegations and Rivalries
At the heart of Kyrgios’ crusade is his criticism of what he perceives as leniency in anti-doping cases. Despite the personal attacks and controversies, he insists his stance is rooted in fairness and integrity. “I just want the sport to be clean,” he said in a recent interview.
Sinner, for his part, has largely avoided engaging with Kyrgios publicly, saying during a press conference, “I don’t feel the need to respond to what Nick says.”
What’s Next?
As the Australian Open approaches, tensions between Kyrgios and Sinner show no signs of easing. Fans and pundits are bracing for another chapter in this escalating feud, with the possibility of an on-court showdown adding to the intrigue.
Kyrgios remains unapologetic, continuing to polarize the tennis world with his outspoken personality and refusal to shy away from controversy. Whether his criticism stems from genuine concerns or personal grievances, one thing is certain—Nick Kyrgios isn’t backing down anytime soon.
