"Is it really worth it?": Nicolas Mahut criticizes Nick Kyrgios for attacks on Jannik Sinner amid doping case

Nicolas Mahut addressed Nick Kyrgios' constant attacks on Jannik Sinner amid the doping case that has seen the Australian bombarding the world No. 1, as well as the 5-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek. Mahut expressed his disagreement with his colleague's statements.

The Frenchman reached his highest ranking as world No. 37 in 2014 and is widely remembered for playing the longest match in history at Wimbledon 2010 against John Isner and as a former doubles world No. 1. Mahut has also had a brilliant doubles career, winning each of the Grand Slam tournaments alongside his usual partner and compatriot Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

Mahut defends Sinner against Kyrgios' public criticism

Recently, Kyrgios was invited to the podcast "Nothing Majors" with Sam Querrey, Jack Sock, John Isner, and Steve Johnson, where the Australian once again criticized Sinner. “If I face him at the Australian Open, I will try to create chaos against him, I will make sure everyone in the crowd is against him,” said the 2022 Wimbledon finalist. “Respect, all respect will go out the window. I will do anything to win,” he added.

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The former world No. 13 launched a new offensive against Sinner, something that did not sit well with the Frenchman Mahut. “I don't like these statements,” he commented in an interview with Eurosport.

“He has the right to have an opinion on Sinner's positive test, everyone is free to think what they want, but to inflame the situation like this… Sinner has never disrespected anyone, he is the world No. 1, so it's unnecessary.”

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“If Sinner plays against Kyrgios, I think it would be harder for him to handle the pre-match atmosphere than the match itself,” Mahut concluded. “Kyrgios hasn’t played for a long time. We can dream of a title for him at the Australian Open, but we have to be realistic about the level. Even if the crowd is excited, if it’s 6-3, 6-3, 6-3… Well, is it really worth it?"