"The biggest press debacle" - Andy Roddick contemplates impact of Jannik Sinner's doping controversy on girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya's US Open campaign
As Jannik Sinner's doping controversy continues to dominate the tennis discourse, Andy Roddick has questioned the potential impact on his girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya's campaign at the 2024 US Open. However, tennis journalist Jon Wertheim has revealed uncertainties about whether the couple is still in a relationship.
Sinner recently received a "no fault" verdict after testing positive for Clostebol (a banned anabolic steroid) on two occasions during his campaign at the Indian Wells Masters in March. An independent tribunal ruled that the positive tests were caused by accidental exposure at the hands of the Italian's former physiotherapist.
Jannik Sinner's doping controversy has cast a shadow over his US Open campaign, as he has been under intense scrutiny. Andy Roddick has speculated about the potential impact of the media storm on the 23-year-old's girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya.
On the latest episode of the 'Served with Andy Roddick' podcast, the former World No. 1 suggested that Kakinskaya was likely to be affected by her boyfriend enduring the "biggest press debacle" as they head into the New York Major.
"So this is an interesting one, the Kalinskaya of things. Without turning this into a gossip rag, I wouldn't mention it unless there was actually an effect to it. But if you're dating someone and your significant other, who you care about and are with, goes through the biggest press debacle, so Kalinskaya is dating Jannik Sinner, does that have any effect on you? A little," Roddick said.
Jon Wertheim chimed in to reveal the "gossip" about whether Sinner and the Russian are still in a relationship. The rumors of a potential break-up began circulating on social media when Kalinskaya briefly unfollowed the World No. 1 on Instagram.
"First of all, I'm not sure, going down the gossip rabbit hole, I think there's some diverging opinions about whether this is still an active relationship. But I don't know and I don't care," Wertheim said.
Roddick emphasized that previous concerns about their relationship being impacted by external concerns, like the scheduling at Wimbledon, paled in comparison to being confronted by Jannik Sinner's doping controversy being the "number one story on earth."
"Didn't we have this exact conversation at Wimbledon and I vaguely recall being laughed out of the cubicle for making a simple," Wertheim said.
"I'm sorry did Jannik Sinner announce that he tested positive twice before Wimbledon too? Did I miss that storyline?" Roddick sarcastically responded.
"But the context, it matters what the thing is. If it's like the number one story on earth," he added.
The former World No. 1 also hilariously asked his technical team to verify whether Sinner and Kalinskaya are still a couple.
"Can you look up if Kalinskaya and Sinner are still dating?" Roddick asked.
On the tennis front, Andy Roddick predicted that Anna Kalinskaya would reach the fourth round of the US Open but favored Elena Rybakina to advance to the quarterfinals from their section of the draw.
"I'm taking Kalinskaya to round 4 and Rybakina is the first one I'm going straight through to the quarters," he said.
Jannik Sinner to take on Mackenzie McDonald in US Open 1R; Anna Kalinskaya faces Lauren Davis
Fresh off his triumph at the Cincinnati Open, Jannik Sinner will aim to extend his winning streak as he takes on Mackenzie McDonald in his opening match at the 2024 US Open. The Italian has triumphed in all three of his previous encounters against McDonald, claiming a 6-7(6), 7-5, 6-1 victory in their most recent meeting at the 2023 Paris Masters.
If the World No. 1 continues his perfect record against the American, he will square off against Alex Michelsen or Elliot Spizzirri in the second round. Jannik Sinner will also face tough competition from the likes of Tommy Paul and Nicolas Jarry in his quarter, with Daniil Medvedev and Carlos Alcaraz also looming in his draw as he attempts to sweep the hard-court Slams for this season.
Anna Kalinskaya, meanwhile, will commence her pursuit of her maiden Grand Slam title against Lauren Davis, marking their first meeting on tour. If the 15th seed triumphs over Davis, she will take on the winner of the match between Bernarda Pera and Anna Bondar.
Kalinskaya will likely face Beatriz Haddad Maia in the third round of the New York Major, followed by a potential blockbuster fourth-round clash against fourth seed Elena Rybakina.