Stefanos Tsitsipas delivered a notably direct reaction when asked about Nick Kyrgios’ positive test for cocaine, offering an answer that was far from guarded.

Former world No 13 Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Integrity Agency after failing a dope test at the Mallorca Championships in June this year. The Australian later addressed the issue on social media, writing “I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it” and adding that he would “do the work and come back better”. He now faces a possible ban of up to four years, the maximum penalty for an anti-doping violation.

Tsitsipas, however, suggested the case was not simply an isolated lapse. Speaking in a post-match press conference after his opening-round victory over Arthur Fils at the US Open, he was asked: “How did you react when you heard about Nick Kyrgios’ suspension for doping? Did it surprise you?”

After a pause, Tsitsipas said: “I don’t know what to tell you. I mean, to be entirely honest with you, I knew about this before the announcement. Myself, I knew about it.

“So what can I tell you? I will just tell you the truth. I knew about all of this before any announcement was made, and when I saw it on social media, I was, like, ‘here we go’. I kind of expected it, to be honest.”

When asked again, “Did you know about this from before?”, he responded: “I knew that those were things that were happening away from the tennis courts, I will tell you that.

“I’m not going to try and cover up someone that I know the truth for. I’ll consider myself a nice person with everyone, but these were behaviours that I personally heard on the tour and heard other people in that same environment saying those sort of things to me.

“Again, when I saw it, I was like, well, pretty much expected to be honest. I am surprised it came so late though.”

Kyrgios has also faced scrutiny because he previously criticised Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek and Simona Halep after their own failed dope tests and subsequent bans.

Terence Atmane’s first-round exit at the US Open became a flashpoint for discussion after his five-set loss to Jaume Munar was interrupted by cramping concerns and disagreement over treatment.

The French left-hander had built a two-set lead on Sunday before physical issues began to take hold. Early in the second set, his left hand seized up, and Atmane was forced into an underarm serve with his right hand. Even so, the former world No 41 stayed in the match long enough to push the contest to a dramatic finish after dropping the next two sets.

The turning point in the fifth set came with Atmane trailing 2-1, when he asked for the trainer. The physio declined to treat him, which clearly frustrated the 24-year-old. Atmane said, “I tell him I have pain. Why is he saying no? I know the rules, that’s why I’m asking, that’s why I’m calling you, because I know I cannot get treatment for cramp. It was not cramp, it was pain. Do you understand?”

As the physio walked away, Atmane was then heard saying, “Excuse me, can you just give me treatment and stop acting stupid,” before asking for his credentials.

He was ultimately beaten 6-7 (5), 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4), 7-5, and his on-court conduct drew criticism, even as some online argued that lower-ranked players are treated differently from the sport’s biggest names.

The discussion revived memories of Carlos Alcaraz’s Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev, when the German protested that Alcaraz was dealing with cramp and questioned why treatment had been allowed. In that case, the Spaniard later said it was a thigh injury, and he went on to win the tournament.

The rules remain clear that players cannot receive a medical time out for muscle cramping, although treatment is allowed during changeovers or set breaks. Still, the online debate around Atmane suggests the issue remains unsettled and may need clearer guidance.

Novak Djokovic’s 2026 US Open began in the worst possible way, as he was beaten in the first round in New York for the first time in his career. The result also triggers a significant slide in the ATP Rankings.

With Jannik Sinner sidelined at Flushing Meadows because of a knee problem and Carlos Alcaraz still recovering from a wrist injury, Djokovic had been viewed by some as a leading contender for the season-ending major. Seeded fourth, he also appeared to have a workable section of the draw, with 16th seed Brandon Nakashima the highest-ranked player in his part of the bracket and a possible quarter-final meeting with seventh seed Daniil Medvedev or 11th seed Frances Tiafoe.

Few expected Mariano Navone to create serious trouble in the opening round. The Argentine was only making his third US Open appearance and had won just once at the event before this match.

Yet Navone pushed Djokovic early, taking the first set before the former world No 1 responded by winning the next two. Djokovic then seemed positioned to close it out after moving 2-1 ahead in the fourth set and earning an early break. But the world No 49 seized control from there, aided by Djokovic’s illness and lower back problem, and finished strongly by taking 11 of the last 12 games to complete a 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory.

Navone will next face either Matteo Berrettini or Stan Wawrinka, while Djokovic heads home.

The defeat carries a major ranking cost. Djokovic reached the semi-final at Flushing Meadows 12 months ago, losing to Carlos Alcaraz in a 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 match that earned him 800 points. This year, a first-round exit is worth only 10 points, leaving him to drop 790 points overall.

He began the tournament at No 5 in the official rankings with 3,770 points, but has fallen six places to No 11 in the Live ATP Rankings, his lowest position in eight years, having last gone as low as No 21 in July 2018.

Prize money is unlikely to be a concern in the immediate aftermath, though Djokovic will still collect $140,000 for his first-round exit. His career earnings stand at $194,691,590, including $3,017,725 already earned in 2026.