"Lot of ridiculousness going on"- Fans enraged as Jannik Sinner's girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya targeted yet again after his Paris Olympics withdrawal

Jannik Sinner (L), Anna Kalinskaya (R) - Image Source: Getty
Jannik Sinner (L), Anna Kalinskaya (R) - Image Source: Getty

Jannik Sinner and his girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya were subjected to scrutiny from Italian media following his withdrawal from the 2024 Paris Olympics. The “uncomfortable” implications did not sit well with tennis fans online.

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Sinner recently pulled out of the event in Paris, where he was the top seed in singles and men’s doubles with Lorenzo Musetti. He cited tonsillitis as the reason for his no-show, stating the doctor “strongly advised” him against playing. The Italian, who also skipped the Tokyo Olympics, called his latest withdrawal a “huge disappointment.”

Italian news outlet Corriere della Sera, though, implied that Jannik Sinner’s new relationship with Anna Kalinskaya may have played a role in his decision to withdraw.

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"Why Sinner is giving up the Olympics: tonsillitis, fever and that dedication that is difficult to reconcile with age and a new love," the article’s title read (translated from Italian).

Kalinskaya was dragged into the conversation about Sinner’s Wimbledon semifinal exit against arch rival Daniil Medvedev and the couple’s Sardinia getaway that followed.

"Sinner, in love - it's not a crime - was eliminated in London by Medvedev and left for a weekend in Costa Smeralda with Kalinskaya, who takes advantage of the opportunity in Sardinia to visit her best friend," the article read.
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"The feeling is that, at 22, Jannik is having a bit of trouble reconciling the rigorous dedication that high-level tennis requires of him with the legitimate desire to living his age and new love."

The claims had Italian tennis fans fuming.

"What is difficult for you, however, is minding your own business without carrying out psychological analyses on a 22-year-old boy," one fan wrote on X (translated from Italian).
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Another fan criticized the outlet for pinning Jannik Sinner’s hiccups on Anna Kalinskaya.

"Chosen to talk about sport the same stance as the idiots on football Twitter who do the fishing by blaming the girlfriends for the bad moments of the athletes. the most important newspaper in Italy, mind you," the fan wrote.

This is not the first time the couple has come under scrutiny. When the World No. 1 hinted at illness after his Wimbledon loss, he was questioned over his decision to attend his girlfriend’s matches, which according to the outlet, compromised his health.

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One fan blasted the rapidly shifting narratives around Sinner, from being hailed ‘the national hero’ after his Davis Cup and Australian Open wins, to being ripped apart for his personal choices.

"There's been a lot of ridiculousness going on about Sinner for days. First a national hero, now since he made a PERSONAL choice (besides medical issues) down articles 'he thinks more about f***ing than playing' as if a myriad of other athletes aren't in relationships." (translated from Italian).
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"My goodness, this title is uncomfortable... worthy of the worst tabloids," another fan said.
"You are hopeless, I would be very happy if Jannik bothered and changed his citizenship," yet another fan wrote.

Here are a few more reactions from tennis fans:

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Jannik Sinner and girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya expected to resume their 2024 campaigns in North America

Jannik Sinner pictured at the 2023 Canadian Open - Source: Getty
Jannik Sinner pictured at the 2023 Canadian Open - Source: Getty

Similar to Jannik Sinner, Anna Kalinskaya, who hails from Russia, also decided against competing at the Paris Olympics, despite being among the top four WTA players from the country. The pair joined a host of other players to skip the event amid growing concerns over the hectic schedule.

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Kalinskaya is instead expected to compete at the WTA 500 Citi Open in Washington, D.C., between July 29 and August 4. The World No. 17 is in pursuit of her maiden tour-level title at the event, having fallen short in both her title clashes this season, in Dubai and Berlin.

Jannik Sinner, meanwhile, should resume his campaign at the Canadian Open in Montreal (August 6-12). He is the defending champion, having won his maiden Masters 1000 title in Toronto last year.

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Edited by Pranjali P.
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