"Why do people care where a person spends their holidays?" - Kuznetsova fires back at criticism over Sinner's withdrawal from the Olympics
ATP
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."
"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."
Read also
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."
Growing up in a household where soccer was king, my earliest memories are filled with chants from packed stadiums and the rhythm of a ball being passed across neighborhood streets. But somewhere along the way, the quiet elegance and raw emotion of tennis pulled me in. What began as a curiosity became a lifelong passion; not just for the sport itself, but for the stories it tells: of grit, of heartbreak, of improbable comebacks and human resilience.
As a tennis writer, I bring the observational lens of someone who didn’t grow up in the sport, but fell in love with it as an outsider; a perspective that lets me see both its technical beauty and its emotional depth. Over the years working with TennisUpToDate, I’ve had the privilege of reaching more than 3.5 million readers worldwide, with one of my features ranking among the site’s top three articles.
With a background in storytelling and a creative mind always searching for meaning beyond the scoreboard, I aim to craft narratives that go deeper than results and rankings. Whether it’s a rising star breaking through or a veteran fighting off Father Time, I try to capture the heartbeat behind the headlines.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Having spent weeks and weeks through the years on tour, I can say with confidence that Conchita was (is) one of the very few who realize the surprising level of maturity (and sometimes lack of) which Mirra seems to have developed in such a demanding adult world of Pro-Tennis. While at the same time reminding herself (Conchita, that is) that Mirra is still young and developing mentally and physically. The general public may forget at times, or not at all realize, these modern era young athletes do not have a 'normal' Youth. It's a major sacrifice, among countless sacrifices, these athletes must make. People who blow-off that fact are ignorant and unfair when they blurt out, "They choose fame so they have to put up with the intrusions on their lives". No, they do not.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.mandoist05-11-2026
- Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026
- After a couple decades traveling to IIHF tourneys overseas... our family is done with it... and I will not be the only one!! Bad enough the NHL allows Ovachenko (a Putin Supporter and Campaigner) to live and play in the USA. Let's not forget the STATE SPONSORED RUSSIAN DOPING PROGRAMS still in effect today.mandoist31-10-2026
- Osaka's mental state apparently does not allow her to reach any more Quarter Finals? I mean, she doesn't really have the time for tennis with all the pre-planning that must go into her 12 year-old "fashion" goals.mandoist29-10-2026
- With her money one would think she could afford a better team of Psychiatrists?mandoist29-10-2026
- Boss move, Sinner !Rapunzel27-10-2026
- Apparently still refusing to seek 'help' ...and still playing Dress-Up like a 10 year-old.mandoist27-10-2026
