Naomi Osaka on why she backs tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios

From describing Novak Djokovic's celebrations as "cringe-worthy" and stating the tennis great has a "sick obsession with wanting to be liked" to declaring Rafael Nadal as "super salty" and taking constant snipes at reigning world No 1 Jannik Sinner, Kyrgios is not afraid to mince his words when it comes to the biggest names in tennis.

His current criticism of Sinner has drawn reaction from far and wide as he has taken several potshots at the two-time Grand Slam winner after the Italian's failed drug tests in March 2024.

Although the International Tennis Integrity Agency cleared Sinner of any wrongdoing and opted not to suspend him after he tested positive for the banned substance Clostebol, Kyrgios believes the world No 1's "performance was enhanced" and he should have been banned for a minimum of two years.

But while many believe Kyrgios often oversteps the line, Osaka says that is one of the reasons why she admires the Australian as he is "unapologetic about who he is".

Four-time Grand Slam winner Osaka has teamed up with Kyrgios through her Evolve Sports Management agency while she has appeared on the Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios podcast with the show sponsored by her company Hanakuma.

The former world No 1 says she is a big admirer of not letting outside noise drown out your own views.

"Nick is a dynamic person both on and off the court," she told Harper's BAZAAR. "I am really drawn to people who are unapologetic about who they are and aren't afraid to show all aspects of themselves.

"I also think there is a side to Nick few people see, but I can say he has a very big heart and, for him, giving back is really important, and that is a quality I admire about him.

"For me, you get to a point in your life and your career where you have to stop letting outside noise get to you - if you give anyone's voice but your own credit, you will never get to where you hope to be."

READ MORE: John McEnroe weighs in on Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek doping cases