- Nick Kyrgios is being criticised for comment about ex
- Some tennis fans are calling for him to be sacked
- His ex Anna Kalinskaya is now dating Jannik Sinner
Nick Kyrgios has caused outrage with a comment he made about ex-girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya, with some tennis fans calling for the Australian firebrand to be sacked from his commentary position.
On Saturday, the 29-year-old commented on a photo of himself and Kalinskaya at an LA Lakers game in 2020, writing ‘second serve’.
It is not exactly clear what Kyrgios meant by the comment, but many fans feel it is a dig at Italian superstar Jannik Sinner – who is now in a relationship with Kalinskaya.
In recent weeks Kyrgios has been a vocal critic of Sinner, insisting that he should be banned after two positive drug tests.
Sinner tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol during the Indian Wells tournament on March 10 and then again just eight days later.
The Italian was provisionally suspended but successfully appealed and was eligible to keep playing on the ATP tour while the International Tennis Integrity unit assessed all the evidence.
Sinner’s explanation for the banned substance entering his system was due to his physio Umberto Ferrara using a spray that contained clostebol to treat a wound on the tennis star’s finger.
The 23-year-old’s team explained Ferrara had purchased the spray in Italy, one of the few countries that allows people to purchase products containing clostebol over-the-counter.
Kyrgios’ response to a photo of himself and ex Anna Kalinskaya has ruffled feathers
Tennis star Anna Kalinskaya is now dating world No. 1 Janik Sinner
Kyrgios’ comments have polarised followers, with some agreeing with the Aussie and others accusing him of sour grapes because Sinner is now dating his former partner Kalinskaya.
His recent comment on social media has some fans calling for him to be sacked from broadcaster ESPN.
‘ESPN, Kyrgios is a misogynist. His tennis career is over and he has no respect for the players or the game. Get rid of him’,’ posted one fan on X.
‘It’s disgusting that ESPN allows Kyrgios to interview the tennis players after his horrible words against Jannik Sinner and the sexist joke against Anna Kalinskaya,’ replied another.
‘Also absolutely disgusting @espn continue to employ a misogynist like Kyrgios,’ posted a third.
Kyrgios, who is dating Costeen Hatzi these days, says he has no issue with Sinner personally, but admitted he will struggle to look past the saga if they ever face on another on court.
Italy’s Sinner was cleared of wrongdoing following a failed drugs test earlier this year
Many tennis fans feel that Kyrgios’ comment about his ex was out of line
‘It’s nothing against Sinner personally at all. He’s one of the greatest tennis players we have right now. I’m not denying that. Nothing against him personally,’ Kyrgios said.
‘I’m definitely not going to be warm and hospitable like I was before. I just want a level playing field for everyone. That’s what this fight is for.
‘I got tested at my hotels two days ago. We do get tested consistently. This is a sport I’ve played my whole life. If the playing field isn’t the same for everyone, you kind of lose the integrity of the sport a little bit.’
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