By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, December 2, 2024
Photo: Rob Carr/Getty
Nick Kyrgios it’s a massive draw of talent and tennis, he says Mark Petchey.
But Kyrgios it should aggravate with his repeated attacks Jannik Sinner’s doping case – and his claim that the game is becoming “boring” with the retirements of Grand Slam champions Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.
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In a wide interview with Betway, Tennis Channel analyst Petch Petchey says Kyrgios should let the process play out before attacking Sinner’s competitive integrity.
“Nick Kyrgios should take time out to attack Jannik Sinner over doping saga.” Petchey told Betway. “Yes, Nick Kyrgios needs to rest. The sinner has been found innocent, right?
“And we’re ready to take the WADA appeal. Let’s wait for that. You have to let the process go through with due care and attention. This is a massive thing. It’s somebody’s career.”
Kyrgios has criticized what he suggests is a two-tier system approach to the consequences of doping.
Ignorance is more than bliss, suggests Kyrgios, it’s now an escape clause.
The excuse we can all use is that we didn’t know. I just didn’t know. Professionals at the highest level of the sport can now simply say “we didn’t know” 👏
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) November 29, 2024
In a social media post mocking Iga Swiatek and Sinner’s statements about how the substance got into their system, Krygios posted “the excuses we can all use is that we just didn’t know… Professionals at the highest level of the sport now you can just say ‘we didn’t know’.
WADA is appealing Sinner’s steroid case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and is seeking a one- to two-year ban for the world No.1.
“It is WADA’s view that the finding of ‘no fault or negligence’ was not correct under the applicable rules,” WADA said in a statement in September. “WADA is looking for a period of ineligibility of one to two years.
“WADA is not seeking disqualification of any result other than that already established by the court of first instance.”
WADA appeals the case of tennis player Jannik Sinner. Read more here: https://t.co/vExHGdmkZG
— WADA (@wada_ama) September 28, 2024
Reigning US Open and Australian Open champion Sinner said Sinner said he was “very disappointed” by WADA’s appeal.
“Obviously, I’m very disappointed and also surprised,” Sinner told the media. “We had three sessions.
“All three sessions were very positive for me. Maybe they just want to make sure everything is in the right position.”
Tennis Channel analyst Petchey dismissed Kyrgio’s suggestion that the modern game has become mainstream because of “boring” personalities, countering Carlos Alcaraz shatters that misconception.
“Nick is one of the best tennis players in the world. The question is whether he can do it week in and week out. And that’s a real skill and it’s a real testament to those players who can do that,” said Petchey. “I don’t agree with what he said about the personalities of the current players.
“I think Alcaraz is definitely one of the greatest tennis players ever. Would you say one of the greatest tennis players to light up a tennis court in a way that very few tennis players have over the years is suddenly boring?”
The Tennis Channel analyst said the contrast of Alcaraz’s thrilling explosiveness with Sinner’s smooth sniping makes for a compelling rivalry reminiscent of the classic Fire and Ice.
“I will always go back to the Age of Fire and Ice of Borg and McEnroe. If Bjorn had played Bjorn, nobody would be talking about that era in terms of how exciting it was,” Petchey said. “It was Mac who brought the passion, Jimmy Connors the bad guy. Borg the ice. You need great rivalries and different personalities It’s Fire and Ice 2.0 for me with Jannik and Carlos.
“We may not be talking about ’80s junk, but tennis is actually an extremely healthy space. You want to see people who are trying to win big races who are extremely professional in doing so. Otherwise, what are we celebrating? Mediocre people.”
