- Nick Kyrgios is being criticized for his comment about ex
- Some tennis fans are calling for him to be fired
- His ex Anna Kalinskaya is now in a relationship with Jannik Sinner
Nick Kyrgios sparked outrage with a comment he made about his ex-girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya, with some tennis fans calling for the Australian commentator to be fired.
On Saturday, the 29-year-old commented on a photo of himself and Kalinskaya at a 2020 LA Lakers game, writing, “second serve.”
It’s not entirely clear what Kyrgios meant by the comment, but many fans see it as a dig at Italian superstar Jannik Sinner, who is now in a relationship with Kalinskaya.
Kyrgios has been very critical of Sinner in recent weeks, saying he should be suspended after two positive drug tests.
Sinner tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol during the tournament in Indian Wells on March 10 and then again just eight days later.
The Italian was provisionally suspended but successfully appealed the decision and was allowed to continue playing on the ATP tour while the International Tennis Integrity Unit assessed all the evidence.
Sinner stated that the banned substance entered his body when his physiotherapist Umberto Ferrara used a spray containing clostebol to treat a wound on the tennis star’s finger.
The 23-year-old’s team explained that Ferrara had bought the spray in Italy, one of the few countries where people can buy products containing clostebol without a prescription.
Kyrgios’ response to a photo of himself and ex Anna Kalinskaya has stirred up emotions
Tennis player Anna Kalinskaya is now in a relationship with world number 1 Janik Sinner
Kyrgios’ comments have divided his followers, with some agreeing with the Australian, while others accuse him of being jealous that Sinner is now in a relationship with his former partner Kalinskaya.
His recent comment on social media has led some fans to call for him to be fired from 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,” one fan posted on X.
“It’s disgusting that ESPN allows Kyrgios to interview the tennis players after his horrible words to Jannik Sinner and the sexist joke to Anna Kalinskaya,” another commented.
“It’s also absolutely disgusting that @espn still employs a misogynist like Kyrgios,” posted a third.
Kyrgios, who is currently in a relationship with Costeen Hatzi, says he has no personal issues with Sinner, but admits he would struggle to look past the story if they ever face each other again.
Italian Sinner cleared of wrongdoing after failing a drugs test earlier this year
Many tennis fans feel Kyrgios’ comment about his ex was inappropriate
“It’s nothing against Sinner personally. He’s one of the best tennis players we have at the moment. I don’t deny that. Nothing against him personally,” Kyrgios said.
“I’m definitely not going to be as warm and welcoming as I was before. I just want a level playing field for everyone. That’s what this fight is for.
“I was tested two days ago in my hotels. We are tested consistently. This is a sport that I have played my whole life. When the playing field is not the same for everyone, you lose a little bit of the integrity of the sport.”