Former world number one Andy Roddick has accused Nick Kyrgios of “hypocrisy” and a “lack of awareness” for his criticism of Jannik Sinner.
Sinner, the man who currently tops the world rankings, twice tested positive for an anabolic steroid in March last year but was cleared of blame by an independent tribunal and did not face any punishment.
Kyrgios believes the Italian should’ve been hit with a two-year ban and he recently re-ignited the debate by questioning why Cruz Hewitt, the son of Australian great Lleyton Hewitt, chose to practise with Sinner.
Kyrgios said on X: “Love ya Cruz but this is wild. Thought we were boys.”
Hahaha of course – sweep sweep sweep, how is this now my fault? I couldn’t care less where sinner lays his wood 😭😂 I’m in a happy relationship 🙏🏽 I just don’t like people who are cheating the system. Roddick – never ever thought you were a sheep my guy lol https://t.co/LhgX523tbS
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 7, 2025
📰 Table Of Contents
He’s a tennis influencer – Roddick
The 29-year-old later claimed it was a joke between friends but Roddick is tired of Kyrgios’ unrelenting swipes at Sinner which have included an unpleasant remark about his girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya.
“At this point he is a tennis influencer. He lives for likes, he lives in the comments section,’ Roddick said on his Served podcast on Wednesday.
“What I have an issue with is the hypocrisy with which he picks and chooses when to levy judgement on others while also wanting you to digest the context of his comments – the latest being towards Cruz Hewitt, who practised with Jannik Sinner.
“Kyrgios has been the single most outspoken critic of Jannik Sinner on the heels of his failed doping test. So Cruz Hewitt is 16 years old, son of Lleyton and the toughest competitor that I have ever played in my life, gets to hit with a guy who is number one in the world at the Australian Open. That is a big deal.
“Imagine as an almost 30-year-old man, going into the comments of a 16-year-old who is hitting with the best player in the world. If you think he is guilty or not guilty, it’s still a moment when you get to do that.
“That’s a big moment and to simply post a picture and then have this guy go into the comments and make it all about himself.
“The defence was all made that it was a joke. The lack of awareness you have with bringing trolls and all of the worst of tennis fandom into a 16-year-old’s comments is ridiculous. It’s ridiculous.”
Roddick brings up assault
Roddick also highlighted controversial moments in Kyrgios’ life, including in 2021 when he pleaded guilty to assaulting his ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari, after which he said “he was not in a good place”.
The American continued: “When you have moments in your life that aren’t the best…when you’ve plead guilty to physically assaulting your girlfriend, but you want people to understand the context…
“You wanted people to understand your moment in time and life that didn’t make this acceptable but at least maybe say “this isn’t who I am, this isn’t what I do – I’m not an abuser even though I plead guilty to abuse”.
“It’s just hypocritical. It’s purely hypocritical.”
Kyrgios struggling with injury – again
Kyrgios returned from an 18-month injury lay-off last week at the Brisbane International but suffered a first-round defeat to big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
He withdrew from a scheduled exhibition in Melbourne today and is fighting to be fit for the season’s opening grand slam, the Australian Open, that starts on Sunday.
