Nick Kyrgios backtracks on social media comments slamming Cruz Hewitt for practising with Italy’s Jannik Sinner

Nick Kyrgios has quickly backtracked on Instagram comments he made knocking Cruz Hewitt, the son of Australian tennis legend Lleyton, for practising with Italy’s Jannik Sinner.

Nick Kyrgios. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Nick Kyrgios has quickly backtracked on explosive social media comments he made, knocking Cruz Hewitt, the son of Australian tennis legend Lleyton, for practising with Italy’s Jannik Sinner.

Kyrgios has repeatedly criticised Sinner after the Italian world No.1 escaped punishment after twice testing positive to a banned steroid.

Sinner was able to prove he did not take the banned substance intentionally, saying it was contained in a cream used by his former physiotherapist, but his case has still raised questions about the apparent inconsistencies in anti-doping penalties.

The outspoken Kyrgios has been one of the loudest voices of dissent and once again unloaded his opinion after Australian Open organisers posted a video of Sinner having a training session with Hewitt, who is entered in the qualifying tournament for the first grand slam of 2025.

Nick Kyrgios wasn't happy to see Cruz Hewitt having a hit with Jannik Sinner.

While the young Hewitt proudly shared a picture on his Instagram account with Sinner, the reigning Australian Open champion, Kyrgios’ swift response sent the tennis world into a spin.

“Love ya Cruz but this is wild”, Kyrgios commented.

He also added “Cooked post” and “Thought we were boys” with a number of provocative emojis.

No stranger to controversy, Kyrgios’ replies to Cruz’ post were widely condemned with some accusing him of overstepping the line, while another respondent tweeted on X: “A 30-year-old harassing a 16 yo on social media, really? Embarrassing”.

While stopping short of issuing an apology, Kyrgios did make a quick retreat, replying:

“It’s a joke mateeeee hahaha.”

Doping issues are set to dominate the off-court discussions at the Australian Open, starting next Sunday, after Sinner and former women’s world No.1 Iga Swiatek both recently returned positive swabs.

While athletes in other sports often receive lengthy bans for positive tests, even if they prove they ingested banned substances unknowingly, both Sinner and Swiatek got off light.

Sinner avoided a ban altogether while Swiatek accepted a one-month ban after testing positive to the banned heart drug TMZ.

Both will be competing at the Australian Open, along with Kyrgios, making his first grand slam appearance since 2022.

Kyrgios described the test results as “disgusting” for tennis but not everyone agrees with his view, with tennis legend Jim Courier among those who believe the real problem was the misunderstanding and lack of transparency around the cases.

Nick Kyrgios is no stranger to controversy. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“I have no doubts that the rules are being applied properly by the authorities,” Courier told this masthead.

“But it would be better for everyone if the authorities would come forward and speak more clearly about … how the rules were applied, because we don’t want any suspicion of favouritism.

“I don’t think that’s the case but we just want to be a little bit clearer about that. There’s a little bit of ambiguity.”

Kyrgios is unlikely to win any friends for dragging Hewitt into his criticism of Sinner.

One of Australia’s most talented young players, Hewitt has been given a wildcard into the Australian Open qualifying tournament in the hope he can replicate his father, who made the main event for the first time in 1997.

If he doesn’t qualify for the seniors, he can still play the Australian juniors.

Originally published as Nick Kyrgios backtracks on social media comments slamming Cruz Hewitt for practising with Italy’s Jannik Sinner