Nick Kyrgios has once again taken a swipe at World No.1 Jannik Sinner, expressing disbelief over the Italian being named the smartest player on the ATP Tour. This latest jab comes in response to both Daniil Medvedev and Lorenzo Musetti recently bestowing that very title upon Sinner during interviews at the Mubadala Citi DC Open.
Daniil Medvedev, one of the most tactically sound players on the circuit, confidently labeled Sinner as the “smartest” without offering much explanation. Musetti echoed the sentiment, casually remarking, “Jannik, I don’t have to explain this,” suggesting Sinner’s intelligence on and off the court was a given. However, Nick Kyrgios was clearly unimpressed.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Kyrgios sarcastically responded, “Sinner is an OUTRAGEOUS person to say right now 😂😂😂.” The comment immediately caught fire online, stirring debate among fans about whether Kyrgios was merely joking or once again airing his grievances about the handling of Sinner’s past doping case.
The Australian has long been a vocal critic of how Sinner’s failed drug test was managed. In August 2024, it was revealed that Sinner had tested positive for clostebol—a banned substance—back in March of that year. Though the four-time Grand Slam winner blamed the incident on a medical mishap involving his then-physiotherapist and fitness coach, Kyrgios has never fully accepted that explanation.
At the time, Sinner claimed that his former coach Umberto Ferrara had purchased a topical spray, Trofodermin, which contained clostebol. Ferrara allegedly passed it to physiotherapist Gianmarco Naldi, who then applied it while treating Sinner’s minor injury, unknowingly contaminating the player. Following the backlash, Sinner promptly parted ways with both Ferrara and Naldi, but maintained that he was innocent of deliberate doping.
Yet, in a twist that seems to have reignited Kyrgios’ skepticism, Sinner has now re-hired Umberto Ferrara ahead of the US Open swing. Kyrgios wasted no time mocking the decision, again taking to X and writing, “He got the same doc back 😂😂😂 we have been played ladies and gentlemen 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔.” The post has since gone viral, with fans and analysts questioning whether Sinner’s team is being careless or if the entire situation is misunderstood.
Kyrgios, known for his brutally honest takes and social media antics, has often used his platform to question the ATP’s transparency and consistency in handling drug-related issues. His criticisms of Sinner seem to stem not from personal animosity but from what he sees as a lack of accountability and double standards in the sport.
While Kyrgios nominated Norway’s Casper Ruud as the true smartest player on tour, citing that “the guy’s got his stuff sorted,” it’s clear that his pick was partly influenced by frustration over the ongoing saga surrounding Sinner. Ruud, who is seen as disciplined and strategic both on court and in his career decisions, presents a stark contrast to the controversies surrounding the Italian.
Despite the online controversy, Jannik Sinner remains unbothered. The reigning Wimbledon champion, who recently defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the final to secure his first title at the All England Club, continues to focus on tennis. His recent results have silenced many critics, proving that his on-court intelligence—at least—might warrant the praise from peers like Medvedev and Musetti.
Meanwhile, Kyrgios’ own form remains in question. Having struggled with injuries and inconsistent performances, he recently competed in the doubles event at the Citi DC Open alongside Gael Monfils but suffered a first-round exit. His return to singles action remains uncertain, yet his presence on social media ensures he stays in the headlines.
This latest chapter in the ongoing Kyrgios-Sinner tension adds more intrigue to the ATP Tour’s off-court drama. Whether or not Sinner deserves the “smartest player” title is now a matter of opinion, but Kyrgios has made it abundantly clear that he won’t let the past be forgotten so easily.
With the US Open fast approaching, all eyes will be on Sinner—not just to see if he can lift another Major, but to observe how he handles the renewed scrutiny brought upon him by Kyrgios’ persistent commentary. Whether his re-appointment of Ferrara was a tactical move or a risky gamble remains to be seen.