Nick Kyrgios snaps back at his critics after social media message sparks a storm
Nick Kyrgios has insisted he did nothing wrong by posting his controversial social media message relating to WTA Tour star Anna Kalinskaya.
There have been calls for Kyrgios to be removed from the ESPN broadcasting line-up after he responded to an image of Kalinskaya on X with a two word response that read: ‘Second serve’.
Kyrgios and Kalinskaya developed a friendship back in 2020, but she is now dating world No 1 and new US Open champion Jannik Sinner, with some social media users suggesting the post by the Australian tennis player was referencing his relationship with Kalinskaya.
Now he has responded by suggesting he has done nothing wrong with his latest post on X.
“Right… so I’m the one that’s the bad guy for saying something about it? I never brought it up lol,” he said. “Don’t take offence if people are gonna bring it up. Simple.”
Kyrgios also insisted his comment was not abusive as he added: “Abusive? What’s abusive about what I said? I had no intention to say anything about it. People wanna go there deal with the consequences.”
This incident comes after Kyrgios emerged as the most vocal critic of Sinner following his two failed drug tests back in March.
Sinner was allowed to carry on playing on the tennis tour while he appealed against his positive drug test and was eventually cleared of wrongdoing by tennis chiefs.
That sparked this response from Kyrgios on Twitter: “Ridiculous – whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance… you should be gone for 2 years. Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream…. Yeah nice”
He went on to clarify his position on ESPN, as he offered up a full explanation of his views on the Sinner case.
“I think I stand by every word,” said Kyrgios. “Everything I put on social media I have to stand up for. I’ve seen many of my friends go through doping things and being suspended.
“We’ve seen players like (Simona) Halep and everyone and it seems like every time one of these things comes up, there’s always a different process for different players.
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“It’s nothing against Sinner personally at all. I know how important he is. He’s one of the greatest tennis players we have right now and I know how important he’s gonna be for the next 15 years. I’m not denying any of that. Nothing against him personally.
“If you look at Jenson Brooksby and other players who’ve had their careers taken away for up to a year.
“Someone like Sinner just kind of doing it his own kind of way. I think he had it on his own terms for most of the time. I don’t think that’s fair and equal for the rest of the tour.”
He went on to reveal he is still getting drug tests even though he is not an active member of the ATP Tour due to his injury issues, as he suggested players need to be responsible for what is put into their bodies.
“Every physio that’s employed by a player, as well as every player, we get sent a prohibited substance list every year,” he stated.
“On page 5, it says ‘Prohibited at all times’. If there’s a clearing we need to get a definition of what ‘Prohibited at all times’ means.
“I’m pretty sure that means no matter what amount or if it comes up or if it shows up, that means you tested positive. I guess there’s a grey area in what ‘Prohibited at all times’ means.
“Why is his team carrying a banned substance that we know is completely not necessary in the sport is another question itself.
“Guys like (Carlos) Alcaraz have been asked and kind of stayed neutral on it. But at the same time there’s a lot of things I think and details we have been told as well.
“I got tested at my hotels two days ago. We do get tested consistently. This is a sport I’ve played my whole life. I just want a level playing field for everyone.
“This is why I was against coaches in the player box. Not every player has a coach. Not every player in qualifying can afford a coach. If the playing field isn’t the same for everyone, you kind of lose the integrity of the sport a little bit.”
Away from the controversy over his tweet, Kyrgios also gave his views on the US Open final between Sinner and Taylor Fritz on X as he added: “Sinner looked amazing against Paul, but beatable against Draper.
“I think the Italian is heavy favourite for the final, Fritz definitely needs to get the crowd involved. Fritz – needs red-line tennis from the baseline whenever he can get on top. Needs to. Should be a good one.”
Kyrgios was not at the top of Sinner’s dinner party invite list after expressing those views so publicly, but there is no doubt his comments about his girlfriend will have poured additional fuel onto the fire.
