The tennis world is buzzing with tension as Nick Kyrgios, the outspoken Australian star, reignites his feud with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, this time targeting the Italian’s surprising decision to reappoint a former fitness coach entangled in a doping scandal. Just weeks before the 2025 US Open, where Sinner aims to defend his title, Kyrgios took to social media to mock the move, stirring up controversy and reigniting debates about fairness in the sport. The latest chapter in their ongoing saga has polarized fans and players alike, casting a shadow over Sinner’s preparations for the final Grand Slam of the year.
Sinner, fresh off a stellar season that saw him clinch his maiden Wimbledon title and a second Australian Open crown, announced on July 23, 2025, that he was bringing back Umberto Ferrara, his former fitness coach, to his team. Ferrara, alongside physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi, had been dismissed in 2024 after Sinner tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol during the Indian Wells tournament. The positive tests, which surfaced in March 2024, led to a high-profile doping case that rocked the tennis community. Sinner maintained his innocence, explaining that the substance entered his system inadvertently through massages from Naldi, who had used an over-the-counter spray containing clostebol to treat a cut on his own finger. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted this explanation, ruling that Sinner bore “no fault or negligence,” but the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed, pushing for a potential two-year ban.
Ultimately, Sinner and WADA reached a settlement in February 2025, resulting in a three-month suspension that ended on May 4, 2025, conveniently allowing him to compete in the French Open and Wimbledon. “I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realize WADA’s strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love,” Sinner said in a statement, acknowledging the resolution. Despite the ruling, the case has remained a lightning rod for criticism, with Kyrgios emerging as one of Sinner’s most vocal detractors. The Australian, sidelined from competitive play since June 2023 due to wrist and knee injuries, has repeatedly questioned the leniency of Sinner’s punishment, arguing it undermines the sport’s integrity.
Kyrgios’s latest jab came in response to Sinner’s decision to rehire Ferrara, a move that shocked many in the tennis world. Posting on X, Kyrgios wrote, “Unfortunately this isn’t @TennisCentel,” referencing a parody tennis news account, implying skepticism about the legitimacy of Sinner’s team changes. The comment, laced with sarcasm, reflects Kyrgios’s ongoing frustration with what he perceives as preferential treatment for top players. “Two world No. 1s both getting done for doping is disgusting for our sport,” Kyrgios declared at a Brisbane International press conference earlier this year, also referencing Iga Swiatek’s one-month suspension for a separate doping violation. “It’s a horrible look. I would never even in my entire life ever try and dope in this sport,” he added, emphasizing his commitment to clean play despite his own injury struggles.
Sinner, known for his calm demeanor, has largely avoided engaging with Kyrgios’s provocations. During the 2024 US Open, when asked about the possibility of being interviewed by Kyrgios, who was working as an ESPN commentator, Sinner responded diplomatically: “I don’t know. I don’t want to respond to what he said. Everyone is free to say everything. It’s OK.” His restraint has earned praise from fans, with many commending his maturity in contrast to Kyrgios’s inflammatory remarks. “I try to don’t look so much about this,” Sinner said of social media scrutiny, focusing instead on his performance and his close-knit team. His coach, Darren Cahill, has been more outspoken, defending Sinner’s integrity and lamenting the toll the controversy has taken on the 23-year-old.
The rehiring of Ferrara has sparked mixed reactions. Some see it as a pragmatic move, given Ferrara’s familiarity with Sinner’s training regimen and the Italian’s need to optimize his preparation for the grueling US Open. Others, however, view it as a bold—or reckless—decision, given the coach’s role in the doping saga. “The decision has been made in alignment with Jannik’s management team as part of ongoing preparations for upcoming tournaments,” Sinner’s team stated, framing the move as a strategic step toward maintaining his competitive edge. Yet, for critics like Kyrgios, it’s a flashpoint, reigniting questions about accountability and transparency in tennis.
Kyrgios’s criticism isn’t new; he’s been relentless since the doping case broke, even posting a single asterisk after Sinner’s Wimbledon victory to suggest the title was tainted. His comments have found support among some fans and players, who question why Sinner’s case was handled privately for months and why he retained his titles and prize money. Others, however, argue that Kyrgios’s attacks are personal, noting his history of provocative behavior and his recent comments about Sinner’s relationship with Anna Kalinskaya, Kyrgios’s ex-girlfriend. “It’s nothing against Sinner personally at all. He’s one of the greatest tennis players we have right now,” Kyrgios clarified during the US Open, though he admitted he’d be less “hospitable” in future encounters.
As the US Open approaches, the spotlight on Sinner intensifies. His dominant 2025 season, with 25 straight wins and a commanding performance at the Italian Open, signals his readiness to defend his title. Yet, Kyrgios’s persistent critiques and the reappointment of Ferrara ensure that the doping controversy remains a backdrop to his campaign. The tennis world watches closely, wondering if Sinner’s on-court brilliance will silence his detractors or if Kyrgios’s provocations will fuel further drama. For now, Sinner remains focused, determined to let his racquet do the talking in New York.
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