Greg Rusedski has defended himself after Nick Kyrgios claimed the former British No. 1 “got done for performance-enhancing drugs” during his career. The 1997 BBC Sports Personality of the Year tested positive for an anabolic steroid, nandrolone, six years later; however, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) later cleared him of any doping offence.

Kyrgios brought up the over two-decade-old test in response to comments from Rusedski about the former Wimbledon finalist not deserving a wildcard into the Australian Open. Asked about the claims, he said: “I’m pretty sure Greg got done for performance-enhancing drugs one time in his career, so I wouldn’t take too much advice from someone like that.

“I didn’t even know the comments he made, to be honest. I’ve just been enjoying time back home, enjoying all these amazing events, selling out stadiums around the world. Let me know when Greg sold out a stadium last time he played.”

Replying to a video of Kyrgios making the comments, Rusedski posted on X: “Maybe before you comment, you should actually read the judgement and understand the case. I was exonerated and proven 100% innocent! Last time this happened, your agent had the decency to apologise for your behaviour, and no further action was taken.”

Rusedski made his comments about Kyrgios not justifying a wildcard on an ‘Off Court Cuts’ episode of his Off Court with Greg podcast, recorded in response to the Australian’s ‘Battle Of The Sexes’ match against Aryna Sabalenka. Asked if he deserved a wildcard, the 1997 US Open finalist said: “I wouldn’t.”

“He’d have to have some phenomenal results—a win in Brisbane, go deep or get to quarters or semis in the build-up. You have to look at all those up-and-coming Australian players and give them the opportunity to play.

“You have to look at all those up-and-coming Australian players and give them the opportunity to play. He’s box office; he brings people into stadiums, but he needs to show some form, and from today’s performance [against Sabalenka], he doesn’t look ready to play best-of-five-sets.”

Rusedski was particularly scathing in his assessment of the exhibition in Dubai. He said: “I asked before the match on our podcast whether it was a gimmick, and the answer is… gimmick, gimmick, gimmick. I did not enjoy it. I just thought Kyrgios was dictating. Let’s not forget he was No. 671 in the world. Did we actually need this, and was it good for tennis? I’m not so sure. It really didn’t feel like a match. Sabalenka is a brilliant tennis player, the world No. 1 and a multiple Slam winner. I just don’t think we need this for our sport.

“This is a guy who is not in shape and who hasn’t played for three years. You can see him sweating profusely on court, and this just didn’t work for me.

“I’m a bit of a purist, and I’d rather watch the mixed doubles exhibition they had at the US Open. For me, that is better value and a better advertisement of the game.”