"I would get every single person in the crowd to get on him": Nick Kyrgios on potential clash with Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios has shared his thoughts on a potential matchup against Jannik Sinner at the upcoming Australian Open. The 29-year-old Australian has announced his return to the ATP Tour, starting with the Brisbane International, marking his comeback after two years with only one match played due to injuries.

Kyrgios underwent knee and wrist surgeries that had him contemplating retirement. However, he’s now ready for his first ATP tournament, which will serve as preparation for Melbourne, where he aims to build competitive momentum.

Kyrgios outlines chaotic game plan for Sinner

The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up has been vocal about Sinner’s doping controversy, which surfaced when the Italian tested positive for clostebol twice in Indian Wells. The case, revealed in August, just before Sinner's US Open victory, ended with no suspension after an appeal and a finding of "no fault or negligence" by the ITIA.

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The news stirred mixed reactions in the tennis world, and Kyrgios, known for his candidness, has repeatedly criticised Sinner and the handling of his case, particularly on social media. Speaking on the "Nothing Major" podcast, Kyrgios expressed his competitive spirit and eagerness to face Sinner.

“A part of me thinks why am I going to go out there and put myself in the pressure cooker of playing again. You have so many eyes on you,” Kyrgios shared. “Especially with me, I feel like everyone is just waiting for that moment. I am going to mess up or do something crazy and it’s going to explode,” he added.

Kyrgios played his last Grand Slam match at the 2022 US Open. He lost against Khachanov in quarterfinals.

Reflecting on a potential clash with Sinner, Kyrgios revealed his game plan: “Let’s be honest, I just want to go out there and I really want to play Sinner. I thought about this [the game plan]. 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.”

Kyrgios also highlighted how the contrasting personalities between him and Sinner would add excitement to the sport. “I feel like why we love sport is because you have to have contrast in personalities,” he said. “If I draw Sinner in the Australian Open third round, everyone will watch because it’s contrasting personalities. We don’t like each other, and I think it’s healthy in sport.”

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Sinner, meanwhile, was previously asked about Kyrgios’ criticism but refrained from engaging. “I don’t know. I don’t want to respond to what he said,” the 2-time Grand Slam champion remarked. “Everyone is free to say everything. It’s ok. If that is the case, let’s see. It’s gonna be different for sure (laughing). I don’t know what to say."

Sinner concluded: “Maybe I say something now and then the reaction will be something else. I’m always quite relaxed. I’m someone who forgets things quite fast. Everyone is free to say everything. It is what it is.”