Jannik Sinner capped off his U.S. Open victory in a moment that caught everyone’s attention—a celebratory kiss with his girlfriend, Anna Kalinskaya. The tender moment has sparked conversation, not just about Sinner’s win but also in light of recent remarks from Nick Kyrgios that have stirred controversy.
Sinner’s impressive performance saw him defeat American Taylor Fritz in straight sets, becoming the first Italian male to win a Grand Slam title in the Open Era. However, his victory comes with a layer of complexity, as Sinner has faced scrutiny following a doping violation that came to light just weeks before the tournament. Despite twice testing positive for a banned substance earlier this year, Sinner was allowed to continue playing, leading some, including Kyrgios, to demand his suspension.
Kyrgios has been an outspoken critic of Sinner, vocally pushing for him to be penalized over the doping issue. However, the situation escalated on Saturday when Kyrgios made what many interpreted as a “misogynistic” comment about Sinner’s girlfriend, Anna Kalinskaya, during a social media exchange.
Kalinskaya, currently ranked No. 15 on the WTA tour, had a past relationship with Kyrgios, dating briefly before their split in 2020. Now dating Sinner, she has been spotted in his player’s box throughout his U.S. Open matches. During an exchange with Sinner fans on X (formerly Twitter), one user tagged Kyrgios in an old photo of him with Kalinskaya at an NBA game, leading to Kyrgios’ cryptic and controversial reply, “Second serve.”
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Though Kyrgios quickly deleted the tweet, the backlash was swift. Fans and commentators criticized the remark, labeling it “disgusting” and “misogynistic.” The timing of the comment, just as Sinner was closing in on his historic victory, added fuel to the fire.
In the aftermath, Sinner’s post-match celebration became all the more symbolic. After securing his title, Sinner was seen making his way to his player’s box, where he shared an emotional kiss with Kalinskaya. The moment was a stark contrast to the controversy that had surrounded them in the lead-up to the match, and many fans took to social media to mock Kyrgios, suggesting he might be envious of Sinner’s triumph on and off the court.
“Kyrgios was found dead,” joked one X user, playing on the exaggerated reaction from fans who saw the kiss as a fitting response to Kyrgios’ earlier comment. Other fans expressed joy for Sinner and Kalinskaya, celebrating their special moment amidst the recent turmoil.
Sinner’s victory, though, was muted in some respects. After shaking hands with Fritz at the net, the typically fiery Italian displayed little emotion, simply raising his arms in acknowledgment of the crowd. It wasn’t until he reached his support team, including Kalinskaya, that he showed any visible signs of joy.
“This title means so much,” Sinner said after the match. “The last period of my career has not been easy, but I have my team and family who support me. I love tennis, but off the court, there is a life as well. I want to dedicate this trophy to my aunt because she is not well and I don’t know how much longer I will have her in my life. She was a very important part of my life and still is. It’s nice to share this with her.”
Sinner’s journey to victory has been anything but straightforward. The doping scandal had cast a shadow over his participation in the tournament, and his ability to maintain focus amidst the pressure has been a testament to his mental strength.
Meanwhile, Fritz, who was vying to become the first American man to win the U.S. Open since Andy Roddick in 2003, was left devastated. Despite the backing of a star-studded crowd that included Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and Matthew McConaughey, Fritz struggled to keep up with Sinner’s relentless pace. After congratulating Sinner at the net, Fritz slumped into his chair, his disappointment visible as he buried his head in his hands.
As for Kyrgios, his commentary gig with ESPN has also come under scrutiny.
Fans and critics alike have called for the Australian to be dropped from the network’s future broadcasts, particularly in light of his controversial comment about Kalinskaya. Despite the growing pressure, Kyrgios continued to appear on ESPN’s coverage during the tournament.
Sinner’s win, though marred by the controversy surrounding his doping case, remains a significant milestone in his career. His ability to rise above both on-court challenges and off-court distractions, including the backlash surrounding Kyrgios’ comment, has cemented his place as one of tennis’ rising stars.
As he looks ahead to the rest of the season, fans will be watching to see how Sinner navigates the next chapter of his career.
