Nick Kyrgios aims thinly-veiled swipe at tennis stars who have breached doping rules after Aussie sensation suffers Brisbane International exit
Nick Kyrgios has again spoken out on doping in tennis hitting back at users on social media who mocked his Brisbane International exit on Tuesday evening.
The Australian, 29, has been outspoken on the subject of doping this year, notably lashing out at Jannik Sinner, who failed two doping tests for clostebol in March.
Iga Swiatek was also handed a month-long ban for a positive test for a banned substance, while Max Purcell also copped a ban after admitting to breaching the sport’s anti-doping rules.
Ahead of the Brisbane International Kyrgios called Sinner and Swiatek’s breaches ‘disgusting for our sport’ but the Aussie has once again spoken publicly on the matter, this time firing back at a social media user who mocked him.
It came after his defeat to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Tuesday on his ATP Tour return.
Kyrgios suffered a 7-6 6-7 7-6 defeat in what was a thrilling match, with his 21-year-old French opponent going on to serve out 36 aces during the clash.
Nick Kyrgios took to X to hit back at tennis stars who have been banned from doping after a journalist mocked him for craashing out of the Brisbane International
Kyrgios made his much anticipated return to the ATP Tour this week, following a long injury hiatus
The Aussie star teamed up with Novak Djokovic in the men’s doubles but the pair were knocked out of the tournament on Wednesday
The Australian has made one competitive singles start on the ATP Tour in the past 18 months, with the Australian having undergone wrist surgery after he sustained a serious wrist injury.
While he impressed on his return one social media user mocked him.
‘Nick Kyrgios getting 7-6 6-7 7-6-ed off the court by a server 10 years younger than him,’ the X user wrote, adding a clip from the movie The Substance, in which a woman shows their disdain over someone younger than them being more successful than them.
Kyrgios appeared to first see the funny side, adding a ‘laughing face’ emoji before writing: ‘Still haven’t failed no drug tests though.’
Kyrgios also suffered defeat in the men’s doubles at the Brisbane International on Wednesday alongside Novak Djokovic.
They were beaten 6-2 3-6 10-8 by Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus, agonisingly missing out in a berth in the next round by two points in the final set tiebreak.
Despite that, pair once again dazzled on court, even dancing together as they celebrated a point, with Kyrgios entertaining fans at the Queensland Tennis Centre by pulling off a tweener.
Kyrgios, meanwhile, claimed it would be a ‘miracle’ if he could play in the Australian Open this summer.
Kyrgios (pictured) was also beaten by Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the men’s singles event
It comes as he claimed it would be a ‘miracle’ if he could play at this year’s Australian Open
During his game against Perricard, he appeared to suffer some wrist discomfort, having called his physio to the court to administer some treatment.
While he has shown some massive strides to come back from the wrist injury, Kyrgios had admitted the problem was still causing him some issues.
‘I felt I’d been hit by a bus after the doubles,’ he said after admitting his wrist was ‘throbbing like ****’.
‘For my wrist, it’s all new ground … I went from practising with people unranked to facing the biggest server … on the planet and, ‘let’s see how you go’.
‘It’s going to be a rough day tomorrow for my wrist.
‘I was really excited for the Aus Open and after today … the reality set in to be fair.
‘It (winning one) might be one of the hardest things to do in any sport.
‘I almost need a miracle and the stars to align for my wrist to hold up in a grand slam for sure.
‘But I’m so happy to be part of the Australian summer again.
‘I don’t take it for granted; going out there again playing a top player like that … smiling to myself knowing I’m right in the heat of the battle.’
