Confidence is key to the World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. No matter the intensity of the doping-related controversy, the Italian star’s unshakable faith in his innocence helps him stay focused. Ahead of his 2025 Australian Open campaign, Sinner was asked how he copes with the ongoing doping allegations, especially with the Aussie player Nick Kyrgios’s relentless criticism. Responding to it, Sinner emphasized that no troll or controversy could affect his performance.

Sinner had a roller-coaster of a season in 2024. Along with two Grand Slam titles, he also failed the doping test twice in March leading to eight days of suspension by ITIA. Sinner’s Indian Wells prize money was also stripped off. Reason? The World No. 1 tested positive for Clostebol, which, he claimed, entered his system through his former physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi. The independent tribunal looking into the case accepted Sinner’s justification and let him off without a ban.

Although Sinner remained firm with his claim, Aussie player Nick Kyrgios didn’t believe it. “

Ridiculous – whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned substance (steroid)…you should be gone for two years. Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream…yeah nice,” Kyrgios wrote on X. He didn’t stop there and also criticized whoever supported Sinner in this ordeal. In fact, when Sinner was applauded by the US Open Tennis X page for his victory in 2024, Kyrgios took a dig and wrote, “After failing TWO drugs tests. (Fixed it for you).”

The Aussie player’s blunt remarks against Sinner became a topic of discussion among the fraternity. Although Kyrgios didn’t really stop his criticisms, Sinner never responded to them, minding his own business. However, during the 2025 Australian Open’s press-conference, a journalist asked the ATP number one about his coping mechanism. Referring to Kyrgios’ tweet, the journalist asked Sinner about how the Italian “handle(s) the noise.” In his response, Sinner seemed unbothered. “How do I block it? It’s not that you just put it in a part and you just say I don’t think any more about this. In my mind I know exactly what happened, and that’s how I block it, no? I haven’t done anything wrong. That’s why I’m still here. That’s why I’m still playing. I don’t want to respond on what Nick said or what other players says,” Sinner said.

The Italian player chose to look at the brighter side as he talked about his loved ones and people who believed him. He stressed that his people “exactly know what happened,” which served him with a motivation to perform better.

Kyrgios, however, also praised Jannik Sinner when the Italian performed well at the 2024 US Open. The Aussie player seriously acknowledged Sinner’s epic run despite the doping controversy and applauded him for not letting that impact his performance.

Nick Kyrgios called Jannik Sinner his “favorite” player

When Sinner reached the 2024 US Open’s semifinals with sheer brilliance, renowned journalist Ben Rothenberg highlighted the fact that ITIA revealed Sinner’s doping failure right before his participation at the US Open last year. “Hard not to think about how much more fun this Jannik Sinner run would have felt if we were still in the dark about his whole anti-doping saga this year. The timing of that, and the way it showed a lack of transparency at the top of tennis for months, just leaves a bad taste,” Rothenberg wrote on X.

Kyrgios, who usually does not agree with the Journalist, echoed his tune for the first time and lauded Sinner for his performance in the major event. “One of your better tweets. Nonetheless not easy to deal with all of this going on and still performing the way he is. Definitely the favourite now,” Kyrgios wrote under Rothenberg’s post.

In 2021, when Sinner won 18 sets on the indoor hardcourts of the Erste Bank Open, Kyrgios complimented the ATP number one and wrote, “He is another level. That’s for sure, played him in Washington doubles. Never played someone who hit the ball as hard.”

Nick Kyrgios and Jannik Sinner’s feud has become one of the most discussed topics in the sport. Despite Kyrgios’ straightforward take on the matter, Sinner remains unfazed, relying on the faith and support of his loved ones. Do you think the Italian will dominate again in the upcoming Australian Open? Let us know in the comments below.