Nick Kyrgios wasn’t exactly thrilled back in August 2024 when the news broke that Jannik Sinner had tested positive in two doping tests. He even called the whole thing “ridiculous,” and questioned “whether it was accidental or not”. Kyrgios clearly wasn’t buying the ITIA’s “no fault or negligence” verdict. So, even though Sinner avoided a suspension then, he’s got one now – a three-month ban announced this Saturday. You’d think Kyrgios might be satisfied, right? Nope. He’s still not happy.

For the uninitiated, Sinner’s 3-month suspension will be active between February 9 and May 4. The shocking update was revealed on February 15 following rumors of a potential 1-2 years ban. Previously, he was waiting for the proper hearing in the case by the Court of Arbitration in Sports (CAS). It was scheduled for April 2025. However, the latest update indicates that there will be no hearing anymore. And after the ban gets over, Sinner can resume competing across ATP tours. Not to mention the development has left a sour taste in Kyrgios’ mouth.

In a post on X, dated February 15, Kyrgios initially reacted saying, “DODGY AS 😭😅” Later, he came up another post and wrote, “So wada come out and say it would be a 1-2 year ban. Obviously sinners team have done everything in their power to just go ahead and take a 3 month ban, no titles lost, no prize money lost. Guilty or not? Sad day for tennis. Fairness in tennis does not exist.”

But that wasn’t all. Kyrgios had more stuff to say on his Instagram.

In a story, the 2022 Australian Open doubles champion wrote, “To the future generation tennis players- after today you can dope, just ‘without knowing’…. Test positive, play through all the investigation, then settle on a convenient 3 month ban, not get stripped of any money or titles and carry on.” He reiterated how much of a “sad day” it was for him. “I pray that kids that play this sport do it the right way.”

Surprisingly, though, Kyrgios isn’t the only one who’s annoyed by Sinner getting just a three-month ban. Even some notable tennis figures are not feeling good. Take for example, former ATP icon Tim Henman.

Jannik Sinner getting a 3-month suspension feels like a “convenient” way out

Talking about the ban in detail, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) confirmed in a statement that “it has entered into a case resolution agreement in the case of Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner, with the player accepting a three-month period of ineligibility for an anti-doping rule violation that led to him testing positive for clostebol, a prohibited substance, in March 2024. ”

The agency admitted that Jannik Sinner “did not intend to cheat” and didn’t take Clostebol on purpose. However, it did state that “an athlete bears responsibility for the entourage’s negligence” 

Following the big news, former World No. 4 Tim Henman expressed his unfiltered take on this outcome. In an interview with Sky Sports, dated February 15, he said, “I think first and foremost, a couple of cases have sent shockwaves through tennis,” while adding, “Sinner has had this cloud over his head, (Iga) Swiatek also tested positive so two of the best players in the world have had drug cases.”

WTA star and former World No.1 Iga Swiatek was also banned last year after failing a doping test. The five-time Slam champion tested positive for Trimetazidine (TMZ). She initially received a suspension from September 12 to October 4. Then she got another ban, that ended in early December.

Coming back to Sinner, Henman also believes that he didn’t do anything wrong. However, he’s not having a good feeling about the ban’s duration. Reflecting his thoughts on WADA’s statement, he said, “it just seems a little too convenient.” But why so? Per Henman, “It seems there’s words like ‘agreement’ and it almost seems there’s been a negotiation…I still think it leaves a pretty sour taste for the sport…”

Basically, he implied that after winning the Australian Open last month, Sinner’s got nothing to lose. Even if he misses out on several ATP tournaments and ranking points, he won’t miss a Slam this season. Sinner will now be seen playing the Italian Open. And then the French Open, the second grand slam of the season.