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Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner has received intense criticism from fans following his decision to skip the 2024 Olympic Games. However, two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova has come to the World No.1’s defense, claiming Sinner has a right to do as he pleases.
Sinner announced his decision to withdraw from the Olympics a few days before the event, citing a case of tonsillitis. The news was received with mixed reactions, as some tennis fans speculated the Italian would rather go on vacation with tennis player girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya than compete at the Games in Paris.
Kuznetsova fires back at fans for blaming Kalinskaya
The retired Russian tennis star did not mince words when coming to Sinner and Kalinskaya’s defense, claiming fans tend to blame the girlfriends of tennis players more often than the players themselves.
“I imagined it, it was obvious that they would blame Anna for Sinner’s refusal and the failure to participate in the Paris Olympic Games,” said Kuznetsova. “The girlfriends of famous players are in the spotlight more time. After the victory at Wimbledon, Alcaraz went to Ibiza with friends drinking and having fun, Jannik was in Sardinia with his girlfriend in more calm conditions and got sick.
“These things happen, why do people care where a person spends their holidays? Without the victory at Wimbledon would people criticize Alcaraz for Ibiza? Every athlete is free to choose how to spend their holidays and free time.”
Furthermore, Kuznetsova insisted the same issue was evident when looking at the career of Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas, who is in a relationship with Spanish tennis player Paula Badosa. Kuznetsova pointed out that ever since they became a couple, fans were quick to blame Badosa for any low moments in Tsitsipas’ career.
“She (Badosa) is also constantly criticized for Tsitsipas’ decline and here we also have the aggravating factor that Sinner is number one in the world,” added Kuznetsova. “The serial haters will always blame her for his defeats and all this makes no sense.”
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