Anna Kalinskaya, Jannik Sinner's girlfriend. © Instagram

And suddenly Sinner's girlfriend is under fire

The Olympic Games are just around the corner, the first competitions will take place on Saturday. And in Italy, people are still talking about Jannik Sinner's cancellation. A topic that has assumed grotesque proportions.

July 26, 2024

From: det

At the beginning of the week, Jannik Sinner dropped the bombshell and canceled his participation in the Summer Games in Paris. The reason for this is tonsillitis. The world number one's renewed decision not to take part in the Olympics (he had already had to miss out in 2021) caused a stir in Italy. Negative comments are piling up, especially on social media, even targeting Sinner's new girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya.

Numerous users, as well as one or two journalists, suspect in their comments or statements that the relationship with Anna Kalinskaya is a distraction for Sinner, influences his sporting performance and even led to his withdrawal from the Olympics. The romantic holiday they took together in Sardinia is a thorn in the side of many - as if the love between the two young tennis players was something reprehensible.

“The haters blame Anna if Sinner fails.” Former Grand Slam winner Svetlana Kuznetsova

This issue has reached such a high level that Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, two-time Grand Slam winner and former number 2 in the world, felt compelled to defend her compatriot. The 39-year-old's lack of understanding is enormous. "The haters blame Anna when Sinner fails. In Italy they post photos of the two of them together and write sarcastically: 'It's Sinner's tonsillitis.' I've also read comments saying that Sinner withdrew from the Olympics in solidarity with Anna (Kalinskaya, like several Russian athletes, has decided not to take part in the Games, editor's note). That's just complete nonsense."

Tennis star Jannik Sinner. © APA/afp / HENRY NICHOLLS

Svetlana Kuznetsova draws parallels between Sinner and Kalinskaya and Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas, another couple on the tennis scene. "Paula is also constantly criticized because of Stefanos. The girlfriends of famous tennis players are in the spotlight. With Sinner, it is even more intense because he is number 1 in the world."

The Russian then adds: "Sinner went on holiday to Sardinia with Anna? Yes, and Carlos Alcaraz was also in Ibiza after his victory at the French Open, partying and drinking alcohol. Every athlete should be able to decide for themselves when a break or a holiday is appropriate. I know from my own experience how important it is to just switch off sometimes." Let's hope that things calm down a bit for Jannik Sinner in the next few days.