Nick Kyrgios wants to play Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open after comments over failed drug tests

Even before he’s played his first comeback match, Nick Kyrgios has laid down a challenge to the world No.1 after clashing over the Italian’s failed drug tests.

Nick Kyrgios has declared his hope he can face off with world No.1 Jannik Sinner at January’s Australian Open and “just turn it into an absolute riot” having been outspoken about the Italian escaping major penalty for a positive drug test.

Preparing for his own return to the top level after more than 12 months on the sidelines with wrist and knee issues, Kyrgios didn’t hold back on the Nothing Major podcast, hosted by fellow pros Jack Sock and John Isner, with his thoughts on Sinner.

The world No.1 escaped suspension after it emerged he’d failed a drug test before his US Open triumph, testing positive for clostebol twice. He escaped penalty after a finding of “no fault or negligence”.

Kyrgios at the time said his sport was “cooked” given Sinner’s positive test and hearing went under the radar and the outspoken Australian, who will play in the Brisbane International before a return to Melbourne Park in January, confirmed the duo “don’t like each other”.

OUR SPORT IS COOKED 😴😭 https://t.co/bHa9cLjxAM

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) November 28, 2024

The Australian said it could set up a fiery clash should they meet at the first grand slam of the year.

“Let’s be honest, I just want to go out there and I really want to play Sinner,” Kyrgios said.

“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 said one of his plans in his comeback, which could be short or long, was to be “as controversial as possible” and he wouldn’t shy away from expressing himself, something that made him very different from Sinner, the reigning Australian Open champion.

“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.”

Nick Kyrgios wants a crack at world No.1 Jannik Sinner. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Kyrgios conceded he didn’t know how much he’d be able to get out of himself given he’s still dealing with the impact of his injuries that have limited him to just one match since Wimbledon in 2023.

“Every time I play tennis now, I got to do an hour-and-a-half treatment after, like my wrist,” he said.

“I lose feeling in my fingers sometimes. It’s tingling, so I’m definitely on the back end.

“I couldn’t see myself playing for another, max, a year-and-a-half, probably.”

The Brisbane International begins on December 28.

Originally published as Nick Kyrgios wants to play Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open after comments over failed drug tests