Daily Dose of Social Media: Kyrgios stirs controversy with comments on Sinner's doping scandal
Tennis NewsWednesday, 21 August 2024 at 09:03
Jannik
Sinner’s doping issue stole the spotlight, and in the Daily Dose of Social
Media, we review the main reactions to the news that is shaking the tennis
world. The Italian’s statement prompted reactions from his colleagues,
highlighting the strong criticisms from Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov,
among others.
Sinner speaks out on doping issue
Jannik Sinner surprised the world by announcing that he had two anti-doping failures in March after the substance clostebol, an anabolic steroid that aids in muscle growth, was found in his blood. The world No. 1 shared the statement he received from the ITIA, detailing Sinner’s defense.
“Following that investigation, the ITIA accepted the player’s explanation as to the source of the clostebol and that the presence of the substance was not intentional. This was also accepted by the tribunal. We thank the independent tribunal for the speed and clarity of its decision in relation to the player’s degree of fault," the statement read.
“I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me,” the 2024 Australian Open champion said. “I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I continue to comply with the ITIA’s anti-doping programme and I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance.”
You can review the ITIA statement shared by Sinner here.
Kyrgios slams Sinner over anti-doping failures
The
strongest criticism of Sinner came from Nick Kyrgios. The Australian star was
one of the first to speak out after the news: “Ridiculous - whether it was
accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance…
you should be gone for 2 years. Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream….
Yeah nice 🙄”
The 2022
Wimbledon runner-up also commented on responses from some fans who defended
Sinner’s situation or simply attacked Kyrgios: “If he got suspended two years,
he’d still play before you play again,” some fan wrote on X.
“At least
I’m clean you potato,” Kyrgios responded.
“His
performances were NOT enhanced, the amount of substance is minimal, it wouldn't
even enhance the performance of a little animal,” another fan claimed,
receiving a response from the former world No. 13. “Then why did they take
prize money and points from Indian Wells? So he did something wrong or he
didn’t? Because they did say he failed 2 tests.”
“Don’t you think
the rules are too strict? If something accidental and the player hs no
knowledge why should they be punished with a suspension?” another fan asked. “Accidental?
You truly believe that the physio rubbed physio cream onto a cut that made him
fail 2 anabolic steroid tests. Cmon potato,” wrote Kyrgios.
Ridiculous - whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance… you should be gone for 2 years. Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream…. Yeah nice 🙄
BREAKING: Jannik Sinner has escaped a drugs ban after a tribunal accepted that two failed tests in March were caused through contamination from a massage by his physiotherapist. A tribunal in London ruled that the world No 1 bears "no fault or negligence". thetimes.com/article/2614b8…
At least I’m clean you potato
Then why did they take prize money and points from Indian wells? So he did something wrong or he didn’t? Because they did say he failed 2 tests.
Accidental? You truly believe that the physio rubbed physio cream onto a cut that made him fail 2 anabolic steroid tests. Cmon potato
ATP Stars speak out as Sinner doping controversy sparks debate
ATP stars are taking a stand as criticism mounts amid the Sinner controversy. Former world No. 10 Denis Shapovalov, who has recently criticized the ATP after his disqualification from the DC Open, quickly echoed the doping accusations against Sinner, hinting that the Italian received different treatment compared to other players in similar situations: "Can’t imagine what every other player that got banned for contaminated substances is feeling right now."
Lucas Pouille compared the situation to players who have been suspended simply for not showing up for doping tests, as in the case of the retired Mikael Ymer: “What about players that got banned for 3 no-shows only and never tested positive?”
In fact, the Swede shared a post mentioning some of the prominent players who have been suspended for doping and, like Sinner, appealed to have their sentences reduced. Meanwhile, John Millman commented that he believes Sinner but suggested changes to the doping control process: “Before jumping to conclusions, Jannik Sinner had less than a billionth of a gram in his system.. I believe him .. maybe we should change the threshold to cater for contamination.”
Can’t imagine what every other player that got banned for contaminated substances is feeling right now
What about players that got banned for 3 no shows only and never been tested positive ..
Before jumping to conclusions, Jannik Sinner had less than a billionth of a gram in his system.. I believe him 💯.. maybe we should change threshold cater for contamination. Finally why the uproar for this when we allow athletes in all sports, including tennis, to abuse TUE’s?
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Whether Sinner was doping or not. This is not right. Plenty of players go through the same thing and have to wait months or YEARS for their innocence to be declared. Not a good look
So Sinner was suspended a couple of days after winning Miami & at the start of the Madrid Masters 1000. Entered the draw and talked to the press pre-tournament while he was suspended and the ban was lifted with the tournament underway in time for him to play. Nobody knew.
Djokovic revisits epic point against Alcaraz
Novak
Djokovic reacted to one of his best points in the 2023 Cincinnati Open final. A
year ago, the Serbian defeated Alcaraz in one of the best matches of the year,
in the Cincinnati Open final with scores of 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4), and secured
his third Cincinnati title (39th Masters 1000).
A video
shared by Laureus Sport shows the 24-time Grand Slam champion reacting to an
incredible passing shot at a crucial moment in the match: “I remember this
point, he comes to the net (Alcaraz), good volley but not good enough,”
Djokovic recalled. “Yeah, that was at 5-4, deuce, serving for the match. I lost
that game by the way, I had a couple of match points, it was very tight, but
that was a good passing shot.”
Tiafoe’s middle finger steals the spotlight
The
Cincinnati Open final seems to have taken a backseat after news broke that
Jannik Sinner tested positive for doping a few months ago. However, the Italian
proved his innocence and continued his journey on the Tour, where he remains as
the world No. 1.
On Monday,
he secured his 5th title of the season at the Cincinnati Open, after defeating
Frances Tiafoe, who was making his first appearance in a Masters 1000 final.
During the award ceremony, Sinner posed with his team for some photos with the
trophy, while social media images show Tiafoe walking behind the scene and
flipping the middle finger to the cameras.
Frances Tiafoe photo bombing Jannik Sinner’s trophy shot 😂
Gauff and Shelton meet in Flushing Meadow
Coco Gauff
has arrived in Flushing Meadows as she prepares to defend her US Open title.
The American No. 1 suffered an early exit in the first round of the Cincinnati
Open, where she was defending her title, and will come to the tournament with
limited hardcourt match play, having only played three matches since the
surface change (1-2 in this US Open series).
Gauff is
already training to turn her fortunes around and regain her top form in New
York. The tournament’s social media showed the young star’s arrival and her
meeting with Ben Shelton, who also faces a tough challenge as he defends the
points he earned reaching the semifinals last year.
McEnroe returns to his 80’s look in with Jarry and Cerundolo
John
McEnroe makes a comeback in his classic outfit in a spot alongside Nicolas
Jarry and Francisco Cerundolo. The 7-time Grand Slam champion has once again
donned his iconic 80’s look. In the video, Big Mac is seen wearing a wig to
recreate his signature hairstyle from his career, along with a red headband.
McEnroe had
done a similar advertisement with Russian Daniil Medvedev not long ago. Now,
two of South America's tennis stars joined the American: "Francisco, no,
no, no, no. Your backhand is fine, I told you you need to work on your
volley," McEnroe advises the Argentinian, visibly frustrated. "These
guys just don’t get it," he added later.
"Hey,
do you think this crazy guy knows anything about tennis?" Jarry commented
from the other side of the court. "I have no idea, I don’t know,"
Cerundolo responded.
Zheng Qinwen and Zhang Zhizhen receive special honour after Olympic triumph
Chinese
tennis is likely experiencing its best moment in history, especially after
winning its first Olympic medals. Zheng Qinwen (No. 7) stole the spotlight with
an incredible performance at Paris 2024, where she secured the gold medal in
singles. She wasn’t the only standout, as Zhang Zhizhen and Wang Xinyu earned
the silver medal in mixed doubles.
In the WTA,
China has 7 players in the top 100 (three in the top 40), while Zhang is the
top male representative at world No. 41. At 27, he remains China's best male
player in history, with a career-high ranking of No. 31. Both Zhang Zhizhen and
Zheng Qinwen shared photos of the tribute they received with other Chinese
Olympic medalists upon their return to the country.
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