“Ridiculous” – Nick Kyrgios demands ban for Jannik Sinner after failed doping tests

Nick Kyrgios calls the developments surrounding Jannik Sinner “ridiculous” and calls for a “two-year” ban for the world number one after he failed several doping tests.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Tuesday that an independent court had found that the 23-year-old Italian was “not at fault or negligent in two anti-doping rule violations” linked to two positive clostebol tests last March.

Sinner said the positive tests were the result of a “support team member” repeatedly using a spray that was used to “treat a wound” on the team member.

“Ridiculous – whether it was accidental or planned,” tweeted Kyrgios, the former Wimbledon finalist who works as a tennis analyst for the BBC and has also worked for the Tennis Channel.

“You are tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance… You should be out for 2 years. Your performance has been enhanced. Massage cream… Yeah, nice.”

The ATP issued the following statement regarding Sinner:

“We are encouraged that Jannik Sinner could not be accused of fault or negligence. We also want to acknowledge the robustness of the investigation process and the independent assessment of the facts under the Tennis Anti-Doping Program (TADP), which has allowed him to continue to compete. This has been a challenging matter for Jannik and his team and underscores the need for players and those around them to exercise extreme care when using any products or treatments. Integrity is of the utmost importance in our sport.”

Sinner is the top seed at the US Open, which begins in New York on August 26. On Monday, he won the Cincinnati Open in straight sets against Frances Tiafoe.

Sinner will also take part in a Head-sponsored pickleball exhibition tournament on Thursday, which also includes 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic and two-time major winner Barbora Krejcikova.