"I got drug tested until midnight and expected to play tonight" - Kyrgios calls out double standards at ATP events

"I got drug tested until midnight and expected to play tonight" - Kyrgios calls out double standards at ATP events

by Drew Tate

Last updated

Nick Kyrgios called out double standards at the ATP events which left him unable to complete his post-match routine the way he wanted to.

After beating Marcos Giron in the opening round of Washington, Kyrgios was subjected to a drug test and it took him a long time to get it done. Kyrgios finished after midnight which completely threw off his post-match routine leaving him dissatisfied with the way events are handling these things.

He finally got a chance to talk about it after his 2nd round win over Tommy Paul explaining:

"I think a seeded player doesn't even play his first round. Last night, I played a first round, tough first round, and I got drug tested until 12:00 a.m. midnight and expected to play tonight. He (a seeded player) gets to bed at the time he wants to get to bed. Eats what he wants to eat. I was told to eat in the cafe when there was no food. These are just things I think a seeded player won't have to deal with."

It's a troubling thought because it does impact the level of players because preparation is so vital for a tennis professional. Many players have spoken out against scheduling methods before with Zverev bashing the Madrid Open for having to play his semifinal four hours after Alcaraz finished his match leaving him unable to properly prepare for the final.

The Night sessions at Roland Garros also got bashed by multiple players calling it unnecessary. Kyrgios further bashed that the seeding and thus the preferential treatment is related to something that's unimportant such as the ranking:

"It's (the ranking's) not really an accolade or anything. My ranking has never sort of reflected my game. That's also due to the schedule I play. I have never really played a full schedule. Towards the end of the year, it's just too much travel for me. It's not something I'm willing to explore either. I don't want to give that time at home up and time with my family and girlfriend. We need that time at home. I'm not worried about my ranking. It would help in certain things."

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