Nick Kyrgios Prepares for a 2025 Comeback Amid Renewed Criticism of Jannik Sinner and Doping Scandal
Nick Kyrgios, the polarizing Australian tennis star, has once again stirred controversy ahead of his anticipated comeback in early 2025. This time, his remarks reignite his ongoing crusade against Jannik Sinner, the Italian tennis sensation and current ATP World No. 1, regarding the doping controversy surrounding Sinner’s inadvertent contamination with Clostebol earlier this year. The scandal, which surfaced in August, has since been a focal point of Kyrgios’ criticisms, as the Australian remains vocal about accountability in the sport.
Kyrgios, who has been sidelined by injuries for much of the past two years, shared a video on his social media that features his physiotherapist and trainer massaging his surgically repaired wrist. In the clip, Kyrgios can be heard making a pointed statement:
“No contamination, just a normal cream used on an operated wrist. From an experienced physiotherapist who I am responsible for. Happy to be back and not cheating the system.”
The statement was an unmistakable jab at the circumstances surrounding Sinner’s Clostebol case at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. While Sinner has maintained that the contamination was unintentional, Kyrgios – along with some other players – has suggested that the Italian must take responsibility for his team’s oversight, even if he wasn’t intentionally doping. This aligns with the stance of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which has acknowledged Sinner’s innocence in terms of intentional doping but has criticized the negligence leading to the incident.
Despite the tension, there is a possibility that Kyrgios and Sinner will cross paths on the court in 2025, potentially during the Australian leg of the ATP season. Such a meeting could serve as an opportunity to settle this ongoing conflict through their tennis performances rather than barbed exchanges off the court.
Kyrgios’ Road to Recovery: From Injuries to Renewed Ambitions
It has been over two years since Nick Kyrgios’ remarkable run to the Wimbledon final in 2022, where he finished as runner-up to Novak Djokovic. However, his career since then has been plagued by injuries and inconsistency. Between 2023 and 2024, Kyrgios competed in just one tournament – the Stuttgart Open – where he suffered an early-round loss to Yibing Wu, leaving the court in visibly poor physical condition.
Off the court, Kyrgios has kept busy with commentary work and his frequent jabs at fellow players on social media, most notably Sinner. Despite his struggles, the 29-year-old from Canberra has never lost sight of his ambition to achieve greater success in tennis. Recently, Kyrgios confirmed his participation in the World Tennis League exhibition event in Abu Dhabi this December, marking a step in his preparation for a competitive return during the Australian Swing of the ATP Tour in 2025.
Speaking to Code Sports in an interview, Kyrgios reflected on his reasons for coming back:
“I’m coming back because I have something that makes me want to. I’ve beaten everyone, I’ve played a Grand Slam final, I’ve won a lot of titles, and I’ve made a lot of money. Now, everything is open – I can win a Grand Slam. I want to shut everyone up by winning a Grand Slam. I’m not a bad guy; I’ve just been labeled that way because I’m different from most tennis players.”
Kyrgios added that the early perceptions of him as a villain in the sport have diminished, especially among Australian fans, as he’s matured and opened up about his struggles.
Overcoming Injury: The Wrist Reconstruction and a Miraculous Recovery
Kyrgios’ return to tennis comes after a grueling battle with injuries, particularly his wrist, which required reconstruction surgery. The Australian revealed that his surgeon initially told him that his playing career was likely over. However, Kyrgios was determined to defy the odds and requested that the surgeon give him just “two or three more years” on the court.
In a recent appearance at SXSW, Kyrgios shared an update on his recovery:
“There was only a 15% chance of me playing at this level again, but here we are. I feel great, and everything seems to be going well. I’m excited to confirm that I’ll be playing the Australian Open in 2025.”
Throughout his career, Kyrgios has achieved notable successes, including winning the men’s doubles title at the Australian Open and reaching the singles final at Wimbledon. However, he has repeatedly emphasized that his ultimate goal before retiring is to win a Grand Slam singles title – a dream that fuels his determination to return to the top of the sport.
In an interview with 9News, Kyrgios expressed his excitement about competing in front of his home crowd again:
“This is probably the best I’ve felt in years. To be back in front of my fans will be amazing. In my eyes, I’ve already won just by getting here. Everything else – whether it’s winning a match or a tournament – will be a bonus. It’s been physically brutal and mentally challenging, but I didn’t want to let the injury decide my career. I’ve always wanted to retire on my own terms, and now I’m ready to play again.”
Sinner’s Current Focus: Davis Cup and Tribute to Nadal
While Kyrgios prepares for his comeback, Jannik Sinner remains focused on the present, particularly the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. The Italian is set to face a tough challenge against Argentina, continuing his remarkable year that has seen him rise to the top of the ATP rankings.
Sinner also recently paid tribute to Rafael Nadal, who played the final match of his legendary career in Malaga. In an emotional Instagram post, Sinner wrote:
“Rafa. What can I say? Thank you for everything you’ve done and everything you’ve given us in your incredible career. Thank you to you, your family, and your team. Best wishes again. Ciao ciao.”
With Kyrgios and Sinner charting very different paths – one aiming for a comeback, the other cementing his place at the top – the stage is set for what could be an intriguing rivalry in 2025. As Kyrgios looks to re-establish himself on the court, fans will be watching closely to see if his bold words translate into action.