Novak Djokovic has criticized tennis' governing bodies for their lack of transparency over the doping cases that have rocked the sport this year, echoing the stance of his former rival-turned-friend Nick Kyrgios.
Specifically, the 24-time Grand Slam champion stated that tennis players had been 'kept in the dark' in relation to the Jannik Sinner case.
The Italian was found to have failed two doping tests in March, but was found not to have been guilty.
Despite that, Sinner, 23, still faces the threat of a possible suspension, with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) set to appeal the International Tennis Integrity Agency's (ITIA) decision that the winner of the This year's Australian Open was “without fault or blame”. negligence' in relation to their positive clostebol tests.
Fellow Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek also served a month-long suspension for testing positive for a banned substance in August, while Australian star Max Purcell accepted a suspension last week after admitting to violating doping rules. .
Kyrgios has been outspoken about the situation for some time, stating that the recent problems gave tennis a “disgusting” look.
Novak Djokovic has echoed Nick Kyrgios' comments condemning tennis rulers for the doping scandals that have hit the sport recently.
A furious Kyrgios has spoken openly about alleged doping rule violations by Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek.
Sinner (pictured) reportedly failed two doping tests in March but was cleared by the ITIA. WADA is now appealing that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“I think it's been handled horribly in our sport,” Kyrgios, 29, said.
'Two world number ones is repugnant for our sport.
“It's a horrible look.”
Djokovic and Kyrgios will partner in men's doubles at this year's Brisbane International, with their first match taking place on Monday night at the Pat Rafter Arena against Alexander Erler and Andrewa Mies.
But on Sunday, Djokovic expressed his opinion on the doping scandals that have rocked tennis and sided with Kyrgios.
“It's not a good image or a good look for our sport,” he told Sky Sports.
'I think in the last 20 years that I have been playing on the professional circuit we have been one of the cleanest sports.
'I'm just wondering how the system really works and why some players don't get the same treatment as others. The problem is inconsistency, transparency.'
Djokovic criticized the lack of transparency in doping matters, especially around the Sinner case.
Meanwhile, Kyrgios took to social media to back up Djokovic's claims, writing: “The goat has spoken.”
Kyrgios had previously criticized the decision not to suspend Sinner as “ridiculous”.
His comments have sparked a fierce row with the men's world number one, with Kyrgios claiming he felt “people were trying to sweep the Sinner situation under the rug”.
Djokovic, meanwhile, said: “We have been kept in the dark with the Jannik case. I don't question whether he took the banned substance intentionally or not.
“I believe in fair sport, I believe that the player will do everything possible to play fair and I have known Jannik since he was very young; he doesn't strike me as someone who would do such a thing.”
“But I've been really frustrated, like most players, to see that we've been kept in the dark for five months.”
The ten-time Australian Open champion's comments were later backed by Kyrgios on social media, with the Australian star taking to X to back Djokovic on Sunday night.
He wrote 'Goat has spoken' in response to a post detailing Djokovic's comments about doping in tennis.
Meanwhile, Kyrgios will make his long-awaited return to the court on Monday, with the Australian having only played once competitively in the last two years.
Djokovic and Kyrgios will partner this week in men's doubles at the Brisbane International
The 29-year-old feared he would never play again after undergoing wrist reconstruction surgery this year.
Before that, he had also overcome knee and ankle ligament issues that derailed his 2023 season.
“Even getting back on the court after the surgery I had was a miracle, to be honest,” Kyrgios said.
Kyrgios is preparing to play in this summer's Australian Open and says he is taking step by step to get back to full fitness.
“I'm just taking it day by day, doing everything I can to get back on the court and have some success.”
He also talked about how he and Djokovic came to the revelation that they should partner up for the Brisbane International this week.
“We talked before, at Wimbledon, about playing together when he comes back on tour,” Kyrgios told reporters.
“Now we have the first opportunity in the first week of the season, it should be fun.”
Kyrgios, who won the Australian Open men's doubles event in 2022 alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis, who withdrew from this week's tournament.
On Tuesday, Kyrgios will face Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in his first singles match following an injury in the first round of the men's singles at the Queensland Tennis Centre.