Sports
Sinner & Swiatek cases ‘disgusting’ for tennis – Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios says the high-profile doping cases involving Grand Slam winners Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek are “disgusting” for tennis.
Italian men’s world number one Sinner still faces the threat of a possible suspension after he twice tested positive for an anabolic steroid in March.
Swiatek, also 23, served a one-month suspension after testing positive for a banned heart medication in August, when the Pole was women’s world number one.
“I just think that it’s been handled horrifically in our sport,” said Australian Kyrgios, 29.
“Two world number ones both getting done for doping is disgusting for our sport.
“It’s a horrible look.”
Kyrgios is preparing to make his return to competitive action at the Brisbane International, following an 18-month injury-enforced absence since contesting the Stuttgart Open in June 2023.
In that time, the sport’s leading players in both the men’s and women’s games have become involved in controversy over respective failed tests.
While the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) cleared Sinner of wrongdoing after he twice tested positive for clostebol, the case was taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) after the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) launched an appeal.
Swiatek accepted a one-month ban, which ended on 4 December, after the ITIA accepted her positive test for trimetazidine (TMZ) was caused by contamination of the regulated non-prescription medication melatonin.
The treatment of those two players has led to accusations of double standards, with two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep saying there were “completely different approaches” to those cases compared to her own.
However the ITIA strongly denies handling these cases any differently.
Kyrgios said: “The tennis integrity right now, and everyone knows it but no one wants to speak about it, is awful.
“It’s not okay. I know that people don’t like when I just speak out about things, be honest about things.”
In addition to making his singles return against Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Kyrgios is set to partner Novak Djokovic – chasing his 100th Tour-level title in Brisbane – in the men’s doubles competition.
How well do you remember MMA in 2024?
It was an incident that neither Thomas Frank nor Fabian Hurzeler could agree on – whether Brighton forward Joao Pedro should have been sent off for violent conduct.
As it ended 0-0 on a cold and misty night at the Amex Stadium, the main talking point was a 75th-minute flashpoint that began in bizarre fashion and almost ended up getting nasty.
Pedro was originally the victim.
Brentford’s Yehor Yarmoliuk had been pulling at the striker’s shirt, as the Brighton man looked to race at the away goal, with the Ukrainian getting a yellow card.
But Pedro then swung an elbow, although he clearly missed the visiting player. On-pitch official Andy Madley took no action and the incident was checked by the video assistant referee (VAR), but there was no suggestion for Madley to review the incident.
Boxer Paul Bamba has died aged 35, his manager Ne-Yo has announced.
Puerto Rican Bamba won the WBA Gold Cruiserweight title by defeating Mexican Rogelio Medina on 21 December.
Singer Ne-Yo, who signed Bamba to his management company in November, confirmed the news in a joint-statement alongside Bamba’s family on Instagram.
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of beloved son, brother, friend and boxing champion Paul Bamba, whose light and love touched countless lives,” the statement read.
“He was a fierce yet confident competitor with an unrelenting ambition to achieve greatness.
“But more than anything, he was a tremendous individual that inspired many with his exceptional drive and determination.
“We are heartbroken by his passing and kindly ask for privacy and understanding during this difficult time as we collectively navigate our grief.”
Bamba won each of his 14 fights in 2024 by knockout, culminating in his world title win against Medina in New Jersey.
Following that win last week Bamba posted on his Instagram: “This year I set out with a goal. I did just that. Wasn’t easy, there were many obstacles that I adapted to overcome and kept on the path we set regardless of extenuating circumstances.
He added: “If you’ve got what some might call an outlandish goal, go chase it. Anyone who thinks that isn’t as brave as you, prove people wrong.”
In all Bamba recorded 19 wins in 22 career bouts and earned 18 of those victories by knockout.
Jake Paul, who Bamba had called out for a future fight, posted on X: “RIP Paul Bamba.”
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