Nick Kyrgios hasn’t been afraid to vocalize his thoughts on the world number one.
Last August, news broke that Jannik Sinner had escaped a drugs ban after testing positive for the banned substance, Clostebol.
Kyrgios was quick to comment on the news, claiming the decision not to ban Sinner was ‘ridiculous’, suggesting instead that the Italian should be suspended for two years.
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He wasn’t much happier when Sinner eventually did receive a three-month ban, as Kyrgios argued it was a ‘sad day for tennis’.
With their relationship seemingly irreparable, Kyrgios has now revealed whether he got along with Sinner before his suspension.
Nick Kyrgios had a ‘good relationship’ with Jannik Sinner before doping controversy
During the latest episode of ‘Wimbledon Unfiltered with Nick Kyrgios’, the Aussie shared what his relationship with Sinner used to be like.
“We have never messaged before. The funny thing is, we actually had a decent relationship before the whole [suspension] came around. We actually had a fine relationship,” said Kyrgios.
“We played each other, and we were fine then. It was a zoo of a match, it was in Miami. I got three code violations and nearly got defaulted.
“It was hilarious because I was going nuts that match, the crowd was like a soccer match, and [Jannik] Sinner was sitting so quietly.
“I knew this guy was going to be good because he was so firm mentally, he did not get bothered by anything.
“He was so composed. He did not fall for any of my circus theatrics or anything. We actually had a good relationship.”
Sinner beat Kyrgios 7-6, 6-3 in the fourth round of the 2022 Miami Open, their sole career meeting to date.
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Things may have been good then, but a lot has changed since, as Kyrgios doesn’t think they will ever talk to each other again.
“Now we probably won’t ever speak a word to each other ever again,” he said.
Only time will tell if we will see Kyrgios and Sinner repair their relationship, but it certainly doesn’t look like it will happen any time soon.
When could Jannik Sinner and Nick Kyrgios next play each other?
There’s no doubt that a Sinner/Kyrgios match would excite fans, following the controversy between the pair.
Earlier this year, Kyrgios revealed what his plans were if he played Sinner at the Australian Open during an appearance on the ‘Nothing Major’ podcast.
“Let’s be honest, I just want to go out there and I really want to play Sinner,” he said.
“I thought about this. If I played him in the Australian Open, I would just get every single person in the crowd to get on him. I would just turn it into an absolute riot.
“All respect would go out the window, and I would just do anything to win.”
Placed on the opposite half of the draw to Sinner in Melbourne, Kyrgios didn’t get his wish, but he may still have a chance to play the world number one in 2025.
The 30-year-old is scheduled to return to action at the Washington Open in DC, in a bid to build fitness before the US Open.
Whilst Sinner won’t be joining him in Washington, the world number one is set to appear at the Canadian Open, Cincinnati Open, and the US Open.
It remains to be seen if Kyrgios will travel to Toronto or Cincinnati, but he will likely take to the court in New York, providing he is fit to do so.
Photo by Frey/TPN/Getty Images
On his last visit to Flushing Meadows, Kyrgios matched Sinner’s efforts, as both players fell at the quarterfinal stage in 2022.
Nick Kyrgios at the 2022 US Open
- 2022 US Open 1R – Nick Kyrgios beat Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3, 6-4, 7-6
- 2022 US Open 2R – Nick Kyrgios beat Benjamin Bonzi 7-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
- 2022 US Open 3R – Nick Kyrgios beat JJ Wolf 6-4, 6-2, 6-3
- 2022 US Open 4R – Nick Kyrgios beat Daniil Medvedev 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
- 2022 US Open QF – Nick Kyrgios lost to Karen Khachanov 5-7, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6, 4-6
Jannik Sinner at the 2022 US Open
- 2022 US Open 1R – Jannik Sinner beat Daniel Altmaier 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 3-6, 6-1
- 2022 US Open 2R – Jannik Sinner beat Chris Eubanks 6-4, 7-6, 6-2
- 2022 US Open 3R – Jannik Sinner beat Brandon Nakashima 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2
- 2022 US Open 4R – Jannik Sinner beat Ilya Ivashka 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
- 2022 US Open QF – Jannik Sinner lost to Carlos Alcaraz 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, 5-7, 3-6
Both players will surely have dreams of lifting the title this time around, especially Sinner, who will return to Arthur Ashe Stadium as the defending champion.
It’s tough to predict how Sinner and Kyrgios will perform at the US Open, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action when the tournament begins on Sunday, August 24.