Nick Kyrgios has doubled down on his criticism of how world No.1 Jannik Sinner’s doping case was handled, insisting he is fighting for “a level playing field for everyone.”

The Australian star has been outspoken on the issue, calling it “ridiculous” that the Italian won’t serve a ban despite failing two anti-doping tests.

Sinner tested positive for low levels of the banned anabolic agent clostebol in March — once during the Indian Wells Masters and again in an out-of-competition test eight days later.

He was stripped of his results, prize money and 400 ranking points he accumulated at Indian Wells, but the International Tennis Integrity Agency ultimately found 

that he “bears no fault or negligence” for the violations — accepting his explanation that the drug entered his system when his physiotherapist used a spray containing it to treat a cut.

Despite many accepting that Sinner was not trying ot cheat — he was found to have 

had only one billionth of a gram of the drug in his system — Kyrgios has been a vocal critic of the decision and process on social media.

He spoke further on the issue on ESPN’s US Open television coverage on Monday, saying he “stands by every word.”

“Everything I put on social media I have to stand up for. I’ve seen many of my friends go through doping things and being suspended,” Kyrgios said.

“We’ve seen players like (Simona) Halep and everyone and it seems like every time one of these things comes up, there’s always a different process for different players.

“It’s nothing against Sinner personally at all. I know how important he is. He’s one of the greatest tennis players we have right now and I know how important he’s gonna be for the next 15 years. I’m not denying any of that. Nothing against him personally.

“If you look at Jenson Brooksby and other players who’ve had their careers taken away for up to a year. Someone like Sinner just kind of doing it his own kind of way. I think he had it on his own terms for most of the time. I don’t think that’s fair and equal for the rest of the tour.”

Sinner has emphatically denied he received any special treatment because of his lofty ranking.

“No, it’s every player who gets tested positive has to go through the same process,” Sinner said at a pre-event news conference at the US Open .

“There is no shortcut, there is no different treatment, they are all the same process.”

But when it was put to Kyrgios by ESPN host Chris Fowler that “there is the feeling that the money and status you have, the better advisory you have around you”, Kyrgios insisted “that’s what the fight is for”.

“That’s why these players have come to social media with a bit of discomfort in a way. I got tested at my hotels two days ago. We do get tested consistently. This is a sport I’ve played my whole life,” he added.

“I just want a level playing field for everyone.

“This is why I was against coaches in the player box. Not every player has a coach. Not every player in qualifying can afford a coach. If the playing field isn’t the same for everyone, you kind of lose the integrity of the sport a little bit.”

While Kyrgios insisted he had nothing personally against Sinner he said later in commentary: “I’m definitely not gonna be warm and hospitable like I was” when it came to interacting with his rival in the locker room.

Several players have weighed in on the Sinner case with Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic calling for “clear protocols” and “standardized approaches” to tennis doping cases.

Djokovic, speaking to reporters as he prepared to defend his US Open title, said players who have bemoaned a lack of transparency in the Sinner case make a valid point.

“I understand the frustration of the players is there because of lack of consistency,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion said.

“As I understood, his case was cleared the moment basically it was announced. But, you know, I think five or six months passed since the news (of the positive tests) was brought to him and his team.

“So, yeah, there is a lot of issues in the system,” Djokovic said. “We see lack of standardised and clear protocols. I can understand the sentiments of a lot of players that are questioning whether they are treated the same.”

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Source: Tampa Bay Times