Nick Kyrgios agrees with Yevgeny Kafelnikov after apparent shade on Iga Swiatek

11/30/2024 11:05 PM

Nick Kyrgios agreed with Yevgeny Kafelnikov after the former two-time Grand Slam champion stated that players nowadays are setting "a bad example to younger generations" amid the Iga Swiatek news. 

After it was announced that the WTA world No. 2 tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ) and accepted a one-month ban, the Russian tennis legend sent out a series of posts on X. While he didn't mention the Pole by the name in any of his posts, it was pretty clear that he was referring to that particular case.

In his first reaction, Kafelnikov said he sometimes regretted not using banned substances during his career. Then, he also bluntly added that it was "shame" to see what was happening in tennis. By this remark, he probably also Jannik Sinner's case in mind

"Sometimes I wonder…..,'why the hell up I was not using steroids thru all of my carrier, so I could play instead of 170 matches a year to maybe 300?' This is really shame what’s happening to tennis now," the former world No. 1 wrote on X.

In another post, the 2000 Sydney Olympics gold medalist suggested that these cases could make it look to younger players that they "could take doping but get away with it."

"And the sad part to all of this is that young and upcoming players(12-16 years old) look at they idols and think maybe it’s normal to use steroids in the future and get away with this! Current players setting bad examples for young generations," the former two-time Grand Slam champion stated.

After reading it, Kyrgios reacted with a simple "yup."

Yup https://t.co/z9MCgCPH2N

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) November 30, 2024

In their statement, the ITIA explained that Swiatek determined that the melatonin medication she used was contaminated with a banned substance. And after determining that the Pole was not to blame for what happened, she received a minimal sanction. 

With that in mind, one fan defended the Polish tennis star by telling Kafelnikov: "Young players will learn that even without doping they may fail a test due to inadvertent contamination but will be able to prove in court that it was just an accident. However, there will always be haters, fans of rivals and old tennis players."

But, the Russian - who played on the Tour for 11 years and was one of the best players during his time - didn't agree that it is possible to fail a doping test due to "inadvertent contamination."

"This is not true!! Nobody will fail a test unless you purposely use ban substance," he responded.

This is not true!! Nobody will fail a test unless you purposely use ban substance

— Kafelnikov Yevgeny (@KYevgeni) November 30, 2024

On Thursday, Kafelnikov made another post about the topic, saying that every failed doping test should warrant a lifetime ban.

"It should be LIFE ban for anybody who gets caught using ban substances! NO excuses and ZERO tolerance no matter who your are!!!!" the 50-year-old wrote.

According to the ITIA, the four-time French Open champion fully cooperated with the authorities right from Day 1 and was keen on finding out what happened. After it was revealed that the pills she was using to address stress and sleep issues was contaminated, it became clear that she didn't mean to dope.

Also, the agency said the traces of TMZ in Swiatek's system were "at the lowest range."

"The ITIA accepted that the positive test was caused by the contamination of a regulated non-prescription medication (melatonin), manufactured and sold in Poland that the player had been taking for jet lag and sleep issues, and that the violation was therefore not intentional. This followed interviews with the player and their entourage, investigations, and analysis from two WADA-accredited laboratories," the ITIA said.

"In relation to the player’s level of fault, as the contaminated product was a regulated non-prescription medication in the player’s country of origin and purchase and considering all the circumstances of its use (and other contaminated product cases under the World Anti-Doping Code), the player’s level of fault was considered to be at the lowest end of the range for ‘No Significant Fault or Negligence.'"

Meanwhile, the Polish tennis star said it was "the toughest battle of her life" and something that caused her to "cry a lot" and have "many sleepless nights." Also, the 23-year-old admitted the fear of uncertainty was mentally destroying her.

Fortunately for Swiatek, it all ended well and she will be able to play the Australian Open.