"Nick Kyrgios once made a misogynistic comment... dismissed, he's 29 now": Journalist slams Aussie's dig at Jannik Sinner's girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya

Nick Kyrgios' seemingly derogatory remark about Jannik Sinner's girlfriend, Anna Kalinskaya, has been harshly criticized by prominent tennis journalist and analyst Jon Wertheim. The journalist brought back a past controversy from Kyrgios' career, which, according to him, did not lead to serious consequences for the Australian. Wertheim suggested that this time around, the former ATP World No. 13 should face stricter punishment.

At the 2015 Canadian Open, Nick Kyrgios faced Stan Wawrinka in the second round. While the Australian secured a walkover after the Swiss retired mid-match with injury, the match was marred by a sledging incident after the conclusion of the first set.

It saw Kyrgios telling Wawrinka, in rather distateful language, that the Australian's friend and fellow ATP Tour colleague Thanasi Kokkinakis had been physically intimate with Donna Vekic.

At the time, Wawrinka and Vekic were being romantically linked. Unsurprisingly, the Swiss later urged the authorities to take swift and strict action against the then-20-year-old Nick Kyrgios. While the Aussie was fined and given suspended penalties amounting to $45,945 and a 28-day ban, many felt the punishment was mild in comparison to his initial offense.

Fast forward to 2024, and Kyrgios finds himself in yet another controversy, this time after seemingly making an insulting remark about Anna Kalinskaya, the Russian WTA star who was briefly Kyrgios' girlfriend in 2020, but is now in a relationship with reigning ATP World No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

In light of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships finalist's contentious behavior, journalist Jon Wertheim took to X (formerly Twitter) and revisited, without mentioning any names, Kyrgios' 2015 Canadian Open controversy. Wertheim suggested that the Australian was let off the hook back then because of his youth, but considering the fact that he is 29 now, should be punished.

"Nick Kyrgios once made a misogynistic, wildly inappropriate comment about a WTA player, drew the anger of her ATP player boyfriend, his coach, and much of the locker room…but didn’t face real consequence, dismissed, as it was, as youthful indiscretion. That was 2015. He's 29 now," Wertheim wrote.

Kyrgios, currently collaborating with ESPN for their 2024 US Open coverage, has been consistently critical of World No. 1 Sinner recently, following the disclosure of the Italian testing positive for a banned substance earlier this year.

The former ATP World No. 13 has laughed off the latest controversy involving his perceived dig at Kalinskaya.

"Too much power" - Nick Kyrgios' nonchalant response to critics amid Jannik Sinner-Anna Kalinskaya controversy

Nick Kyrgios (Source: Getty)

Nick Kyrgios later expressed his amusement at the widespread condemnation of his behavior amid the latest controversy surrounding the Australian. According to the 29-year-old, he has "too much power", which is the reason behind his words triggering people.

"Don’t you think it’s hilarious how quickly people get triggered 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 with a couple words, or emojis…. Too much power," Kyrgios wrote on X.

Jannik Sinner was asked during a 2024 US Open press conference about Kyrgios' criticism of him. The Italian, clearly intent on steering clear of trouble, gave a mature answer.

Sinner is currently preparing for the men's singles final at Flushing Meadows, where he will square off against home favorite Taylor Fritz on Sunday, September 8. Kyrgios, despite his criticism towards Sinner, has opined that the Italian is now the clear favorite to win this year's edition of the hardcourt Major.