Nick Kyrgios says the media did not give the full context to his comments about Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz not having the same aura as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer.
Kyrgios is known for making controversial remarks that draw attention. Some embrace his behavior as good for the sport, while others think he damages tennis' reputation with antics that go against its history of respectful behavior.
There are many examples of Kyrgios causing controversy. An infamous case was at the 2015 Canadian Open when he outrageously told Stan Wawrinka that Thanasi Kokkiankis had relations with his girlfriend at the time Donna Vekic.
Although he apologized in 2015, Kyrgios did not show the same remorse during an appearance on the Louis Theroux podcast. The Australian said the incident was good old-fashioned trash talk and accused Wawrinka of trying to hit him in the head during the match.
Kyrgios' rhetoric about Jannik Sinner's doping has also divided opinion. The ATP world No. 1 twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol at the Indian Wells Open after accidental contamination from his physiotherapist.
Although the International Tennis Integrity Agency initially cleared him, Sinner's case was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which will make a verdict in 2025.
Since the case was first made public in August, Kyrgios has repeatedly criticized Sinner and the handling of his case. The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up has cast doubt on whether the contamination was accidental, referring to Sinner using a "magic spray."
Although he has hit out at Sinner several times, Kyrgios saved his most aggressive rhetoric for a recent appearance on the Nothing Major Podcast, promising to show Sinner no respect if they meet at the upcoming Australian Open.
Kyrgios also mentioned Sinner in his recent comments about a separate topic. He believes that Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz do not have the same aura as Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer. That trio is widely considered the best in tennis history.
A Sinner fan on X (formerly Twitter) responded to Kyrgios' remarks, writing that at least Sinner and Alcaraz have won Grand Slams, which is something Kyrgios cannot say. His loss in the 2022 Wimbledon final was the closest he came in singles.
Kyrgios has won a Grand Slam in the 2022 Australian Open men's doubles with Kokkinakis, but has yet to claim a major title at the highest level in singles. Unsurprisingly, the 29-year-old did not take the fan's comment lying down.
The two-time Citi Open champion slammed the media in his response to the fan, saying the full context of what he meant had not been given. Kyrgios clarified that he thinks Sinner and Alcaraz had not built the aura yet because of their ages, but would eventually get there.
“No context here at all lol. Media is in a bad spot that’s for sure. Compared to Novak , Federer, Nadal they are yet to have the aura that they have. They will for sure get there but realistically they are kids doing insane things. Do better. Potatoes."