Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed that Nick Kyrgios’ suspension after testing positive for cocaine did not surprise him, saying he already knew about the case before it was officially announced.
Tsitsipas was asked about Kyrgios after beating No. 10 seed Arthur Fils in the first round of the US Open on Monday. The Greek said he had heard about the situation before it became public and was more surprised by the timing of the announcement.
“Pretty much expected, to be honest,” Tsitsipas said. “I am surprised it came so late, though.” Kyrgios tested positive for cocaine after providing a sample while competing at an ATP 250 event in Mallorca, Spain, in June. The positive test was confirmed on July 17 at a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited laboratory.
A provisional suspension was imposed on August 4 following the positive test. Kyrgios then announced the case on August 19 in a post on Instagram, describing it as “a huge mistake.”
Tsitsipas said he had been aware of the situation before Kyrgios’ announcement on social media.
“I mean, to be entirely honest with you, I knew about this before the announcement. Myself, I knew about it,” Tsitsipas said. “So what can I tell you? I will just tell you the truth. I knew about all of this before any announcement was made, and when I saw it on social media, I was, like, ‘Here we go.’ I kind of expected it, to be honest.”
TSITSIPAS CLAIMS HE KNEW ABOUT KYRGIOS
Tsitsipas went on to say that his knowledge was not limited to the positive test, claiming he had heard about Kyrgios’ behaviour away from the tennis courts from people in the sport.
“I knew that those were things that were happening away from the tennis courts. I will tell you that,” Tsitsipas said. “I’m not going to try and cover up someone that I know the truth for. I’ll consider myself a nice person with everyone, but these were behaviors that I personally heard on the tour and heard other people in that same environment saying those sort of things to me.”
The 28-year-old then reiterated his view that the suspension itself was not unexpected. “When I saw [the suspension], I was, like, well, pretty much expected, to be honest. I am surprised it came so late, though.”
KYRGIOS ADMITS MAKING HUGE MISTAKE
Kyrgios revealed the positive test in August after the provisional suspension had already been imposed. The Australian admitted that he had tested positive for cocaine after competing in Mallorca and accepted responsibility for what had happened.
“I wanted you to hear this from me first. I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine,” Kyrgios wrote on Instagram. “I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it.”
Kyrgios also apologised to those affected by the situation, including his supporters and family. “I’m sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone close to me. Above all, I’m sorry to the kids who follow me. I know the example this sets and I’m deeply disappointed in myself.”
A positive test for cocaine results in a mandatory provisional suspension under the anti-doping rules. Kyrgios could face a ban of up to four years, although a lighter punishment is expected.
The 31-year-old reached his only Grand Slam final at Wimbledon in 2022, when he lost to Novak Djokovic in the title match. Since then, injuries have repeatedly interrupted his career and prevented him from building any sustained run on the ATP Tour.
TSITSIPAS AND KYRGIOS HAVE HISTORY OF CLASHES
Tsitsipas and Kyrgios have had a strained relationship since their memorable meeting at Wimbledon in 2022.
Their third-round match became one of the most controversial contests of that year’s tournament. Tsitsipas hit a ball into the crowd and deliberately directed another shot towards Kyrgios during the match, which the Australian won in four sets.
Afterwards, Tsitsipas described Kyrgios as a “bully”. Kyrgios went on to reach the Wimbledon final that year, but the tournament marked the start of a period in which his career was increasingly affected by injuries.
– Ends
