Nick Kyrgios found a way to shade Jannik Sinner even after losing in his first singles match back as the 29-year-old cheekily remarked that he remains without a failed doping test on his resume.
On Tuesday, the Australian played in singles for the first time since 2023 May.
While Kyrgios competed well – didn’t get broken once – and he fired 15 aces – he still ended up losing after rising star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard earned a tight 7-6 (2) 6-7 (4) 7-6 (3) win in the Brisbane International first round.
While the 2022 Wimbledon finalist was recovering from his wrist surgery, the Frenchman established himself as one of the best serves on the Tour.
And in their match, the 21-year-old delivered a stunning 36 aces.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard© Brisbane International/Instagram – Fair Use
“Nick Kyrgios getting 7-6 6-7 7-6-ed off the court by a server 10 years younger than him,” Bastian Fachan wrote on X.
Reacting to it, the 29-year-old wrote: “(laughing emoji) still haven’t failed no drug tests tho.”
😂 still haven’t failed no drug tests tho
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) December 31, 2024
As you all probably know very well by now, the former world No. 13 has been regularly taking shots at Sinner since the news came out that he failed two doping tests in March.
Kyrgios was frustrated with Mpetshi Perricard’s ‘untouchable serve’
In only one game in two and a half hours of play, the Australian was able to create some break points – it happened in the sixth game of the second set, when the Frenchman saved two consecutive break point chances.
The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up was silently warned by the umpire to watch his language when he remarked: “Surely you understand my frustration,”
While Kyrgios managed to win that set, he fell just short of completing a three-set comeback.
Meanwhile, the Australian’s Brisbane run is still not over since he still has doubles with Novak Djokovic.
Tennis World USA