Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios put aside old animosity to give a rare compliment to Russian player and his ex-girlfriend, Anna Kalinskaya.
The brief statement during an honest Q&A session on Instagram drew attention not only to their previous relationship but also to the animosity between Kyrgios and Kalinskaya that was reignited after World No. 1 Jannik Sinner’s doping test case.
Nick Kyrgios Took Shots at Anna Kalinskaya During Jannik Sinner’s Doping Test Controversy
The moment stood out, given Kyrgios’ highly publicized criticism of both Sinner and Kalinskaya over the past year. Kalinskaya, who briefly dated the Aussie in early 2020, later became romantically involved with Italian tennis star Sinner.
When the World No. 1 announced that he had tested positive for a prohibited substance due to transdermal contamination in 2024, Kyrgios was among the tennis circles’ loudest critics.
After the initial confirmation of “no fault and negligence” and an eventual 3-month suspension for his team members’ errors, Kyrgios attacked the verdict as “a sad day for tennis.”
Kyrgios didn’t limit his criticism to Sinner alone. At the height of the controversy, when Anna Kalinskaya was in a relationship with the Italian, the Aussie made what many saw as a misogynistic jab at her. When a fan shared a throwback photo of Kyrgios and Kalinskaya from their short-lived relationship in 2020, he responded cryptically with, “Second serve.”
Delete all you want , people still know what a piece of shit you are
An abuser on and off line pic.twitter.com/5liBeFZfjz— Krista (@DrScullyLeclerc) September 7, 2024
The since-deleted comment caused widespread outrage on the internet, with many people referring to it as unnecessary and disrespectful and calling for him to be suspended from his tennis commentary gig.
Given that history, the Instagram post this week was surprisingly diplomatic. Addressing a fan query regarding Kalinskaya, Kyrgios pointed out her tennis skills and their common representation under Naomi Osaka’s Evolve management firm, saying, “Amazing tennis player and also part of the @thisisevolve team!!”
A Glimpse into Kyrgios’ 2025 Tennis Season
Kyrgios, who formally ended his long-term relationship with girlfriend Costeen Hatzi in April 2025, has been in the spotlight both on and off the tennis court. His return to the Tour this year has been uneven, with early-round losses at Brisbane, the Australian Open, and Indian Wells, although he did manage a first-round victory in Miami before losing to Karen Khachanov in the second round.
MORE: Nick Kyrgios Addresses His Break-Up With Ex-Girlfriend Costeen Hatzi for the First Time After Initially Denying the Update
During a long injury hiatus from late 2023 to 2024, Kyrgios had rehabilitated himself as a tennis commentator, receiving acclaim for his blunt approach throughout the ATP Finals, Australian Open, and US Open. His media work, though, has run into trouble midway through 2025, as he was reportedly sacked from BBC and ESPN’s Wimbledon coverage, allegedly following public outcry over his inflammatory statements.