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.

Novak Djokovic posted a short note on social media after his unexpected US Open exit, offering no hint about what came next after a difficult opening day in New York.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion was beaten by Mariano Navone in the round of 128 at Flushing Meadows, with the Argentine claiming Djokovic’s first-ever first-round loss in New York. The scoreline was 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.

The loss drew attention not only because of the result, but because of the way it unfolded. Djokovic was seen vomiting twice during the match and, after moving ahead 2-1 in the fourth set following an early break, he won only one more game. At 1-3 down in the final set, he was in tears as the end approached, before Navone completed the victory in four hours and 36 minutes.

Inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, the crowd responded with a standing ovation, and Djokovic acknowledged the support he received while struggling physically. Many fans also chanted his name during the contest.

Twelve hours after the defeat, Djokovic addressed the moment on Instagram with a simple message: “Forever grateful, New York.”

His future in New York next year remains uncertain, especially after a testing spell that has now included similar physical issues. After losing in the semi-final at Wimbledon, the 39-year-old returned at the Cincinnati Open, where his campaign ended after one match against Thiago Austin Tirante. That defeat also involved vomiting and physical problems.

A few weeks later, the same concerns surfaced again against Navone. Even so, Mats Wilander believes Djokovic is not finished.

“It was very sad,” the former world No 1 told TNT Sports. “I’m not exactly sure what happened to him, how bad he was feeling before, because he did throw up on the court. Was it because of the length of the match or was it something that he had fought with before?

“To see him in tears because he can’t play at 100% level, that’s very sad. But it just tells the whole story: he’s not retiring, he’s going to come back another year and he’s going to keep pushing and keep trying, because he feels like he can still be a threat.”

Johanna Kota also said it is too soon to suggest the career is nearing its end.

“He has been physically struggling – he hasn’t named what it is but he does struggle in humidity. He has alluded that something is going on but he also has said that he’s going to try to find a solution to it,” she said.

“I don’t think he’s going away. He is going to give it his best crack to find a way to keep playing on his own terms and retire on his own terms.”

Tim Henman and Marion Bartoli have both reacted to Novak Djokovic’s alarming 2026 US Open defeat, with the former world No 1’s physical condition emerging as the major talking point after a draining first-round loss.

Djokovic fell 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 to 49th-ranked Mariano Navone in Arthur Ashe Stadium, an upset that ended after four hours and 36 minutes. The 39-year-old was clearly struggling in the closing stages, and the match finished with visible signs that his body was no longer responding as needed.

Afterwards, the 24-time major champion described what he was dealing with in stark terms. “It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year: vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there,” Djokovic explained.

“Then my whole body starts to collapse, cramping and pain. The back just gave up in the end, and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out.”

Djokovic also made clear how difficult the contest felt from start to finish. “When it comes to match itself and the overall feeling of how I felt with my body and playing, it was really not enjoyable.

“I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court for that.”

Henman, speaking on Sky Sports, said the scenes made for painful viewing. “It was a tough watch. Djokovic wasn’t feeling well out on court,” said the former world No 4.

“He gave it his absolute all to find a way through the match. When he was up two sets to one with a break in the fourth, you thought he could.

“But he was vomiting on the court and didn’t have the energy. Navone kept on fighting and, with youth on his side, he ran away with the fourth and fifth set.

“His mentality and will to win is still good enough [to win titles], but when you see the physical challenges of being 39 and what his body is going through and trying to find solutions — it’s tough.

“When you hear him saying he ‘despised being out there’, that’s awful.

“I’m sure he will go away and assess things because that’s not the way we want to see Djokovic depart any tournament.”

Bartoli also highlighted the severity of the situation, calling Djokovic’s struggle “heartbreaking” and “worrying.”

“It was so sad to watch. To see him suffer that much was heartbreaking,” said the former world No 7.

“The way he was physically suffering is worrying. His health should come first, so he needs to have proper medical checks to see what happens.”