Kyrgios on the idea of interviewing Sinner after doping saga: “Our discussion could be interesting”

Former world No 13 Nick Kyrgios recently reflected on the idea of interviewing Italian Jannik Sinner in light of the recent doping controversy around the latter.

In the past few months, Kyrgios has transitioned from being an electric force on the tennis court to becoming the unconventional guy on the mic. He last competed on the ATP Tour in June 2023, losing to Yibing Wu in a Round-of-32 meeting at the Boss Open in Stuttgart.

He missed the remainder of the season nursing injuries but notably landed a job in the commentary box and covered the ATP Finals in November 2023 for Tennis Channel. He hasn’t looked back since then.

King Kyrgios is not the usual announcer who, one would imagine, walks out to the tennis court dressed in formal attire to ask the winner a few regular questions. Rather, his choice of clothing is more casual with a hoodie and a cap.

The Australian most recently impressed the viewers with his coverage of the 2024 US Open for ESPN. He quizzed the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Karolina Muchova, and others with fun queries entertaining the New York crowd in attendance.

Kyrgios, who turned pro in 2013, believes he brings the audience something distinct as an announcer, and his association with the racket sport since his younger days has made him a natural.

“I think I offer something very different, whether it’s what I wear or how I say it,” the Aussie told L’Equipe. “I’ve been playing tennis since I was little and that’s what I’ve been doing for twenty years. So I watched a lot of tennis. I spent time with all these players.

“So, yeah, I figured I’d be really good at it because I talked to myself a lot on court, so I feel like I know a lot. I really thought I could do that. I have received no training. No mentor. I feel like it comes naturally to me.”

Also, Kyrgios is known for not mincing his words when it comes to opinions. Lately, he caused a stir by calling for a two-year ban on world No 1 Jannik Sinner for failing dope test twice during the 2024 Indian Wells Open.

Sinner tested positive for Clostebol, a banned steroid, during the event and was subjected to investigation. He proved his innocence by claiming he was exposed to the substance by his physios and, thus, was freed of any wrongdoing by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).

Nick Kyrgios took to X (formerly Twitter) and registered his discontent over the ITIA’s decision, proposing Sinner be banished for 24 months before the 2024 US Open began.

Later in a press conference in Flushing Meadows, Jannik Sinner responded to a question on potentially facing Kyrgios for an on-court interview.

“I don’t know. I don’t want to respond on what he [Nick Kyrgios] said,” the eventual champion replied. “Everyone is free to say everything. It’s ok. If that is the case, let’s see. It’s gonna be different for sure. I’m always quite relaxed. I’m someone who forgets things quite fast. Everyone is free to say everything.”

The Aussie faced a similar query in his chat with L’Equipe and opined:

With everything that has happened around Him [Jannik Sinner], our discussion could be interesting.

Nick Kyrgios

The 29-year-old reckoned he would otherwise be the one siding with players of his generation but encourage differing opinions.

“I will always be frank,” he said. “But I try to educate the fans about what the players are thinking at certain times and play the role of the guy who sticks up for the players when Johnny Mac [John McEnroe] or someone else is more critical. But I also think that it’s healthy that we don’t all have the same opinion.”

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