Kyrgios Makes Shock Allegation About ATP and Sinner After 'Doping Scandal'

Nick Kyrgios has sensationally claimed that the ATP are 'protecting' world number one Jannik Sinner 'to some degree' since his return to tennis from a doping ban.

Sinner twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol in March 2024, and was given a three-month ban from tennis in February.

He returned in time to win Wimbledon in July, while he was runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open last month.

An independent hearing found that Sinner bore 'no fault or negligence' surrounding the positive tests.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) launched an appeal, but the three-month ban was left unchanged after a case resolution agreement was settled on between the two parties.

Sinner argued that he was contaminated by a healing spray which was bought by a member of his physiotherapy team and used to treat his back, feet and a cut on his hand.

WADA general counsel Ross Wenzel told BBC Sport that the case was 'a million miles away from doping', and Sinner's argument that he had not intentionally cheated was backed by scientific evidence.

2022 Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios has repeatedly criticised the ATP over their handling of the case, and has once again targeted the men's tour organisers.

"I'm loved by a lot of the locker room, and then there are people I can't stand," he told 'The Unscripted Show' podcast.

"Like obviously me and Jannik Sinner now, it's pretty grim. Obviously after the whole doping scandal, with him testing positive and all that type of stuff. Yeah, there are a couple of people I don't get along with at all.

"He's the number one player in the world [he dropped down to number two after the US Open] and there's no doubt he's an incredible player and he's going to be carrying the sport for the next 10 to 15 years with Alcaraz.

"I mean, obviously they're protecting him to some degree. I mean, the CEO and all of the important people in the ATP are all Italian. And like the whole story for me is bulls**t."

He added: "For me it hurt, because I was like, someone who has tested positive for that and then has just gotten off so easy, I was like 'F**k, maybe I should have'. Like what if I was to do that?"

SPORTbible has approached the ATP Tour and Jannik Sinner's representatives for comment.