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Sinner tested positive for low levels of a metabolite of clostebol – a steroid that can be used to build muscle mass – during Indian Wells.

The Italian was notified about the positive tests in April and was originally given a provisional suspension, but he successfully challenged it and was able to keep playing.

The Italian had been inadvertently contaminated by the substance from his physiotherapist, who had used an over-the-counter spray for a cut on his own hand before treating Sinner, the International Tennis Integrity Agency's (ITIA) investigation found.

The ITIA accepted the explanation that the contamination was not intentional, and the 23-year-old was cleared of all fault or negligence by an independent tribunal last week.

The decision appears to have infuriated Kyrgios, who slammed his counterpart on social media platform X, appearing to scoff at the notion the presence of a banned substance was the result of a massage. 

The 29 year-old, who has met Sinner twice in his career for one loss and one walkover, called for a two-year ban for the Italian, sparking a heated exchange with fans questioning the Australian's own protracted absence from the ATP Tour.

Kyrgios earlier confirmed he will play in some exhibition tournaments in the lead-up to the US Open, including the Ultimate Tennis Showdown, prompting optimism from Australia Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt the star player may be close to a comeback.