WATCH: How Jannik Sinner's girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya took a dig at "snakes" on tour in light of Italian's refusal to address the question
Jannik Sinner's girlfriend, Anna Kalinskaya, has seemingly made a searing remark about potential "snakes" on the men's and women's pro tours while appearing on Daria Kasatkina's latest vlog. The Russian's previous comments grabbed the spotlight after the World No. 1 stayed away from naming the players who had let him down with their responses to his recent doping controversy.
Sinner has endured a tough time on the ATP Tour since he tested positive for performance-enhancing drug Clostebol during the Indian Wells Masters in March this year. While the Italian didn't receive a suspension as he was found to be at "no fault or negligence" by an independent tribunal set up by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, the World Anti-Doping Agency has appealed against the decision at the Court of Arbitration, and will seek a ban of one to two years in a hearing that will begin at some point next year.
Against that background, Jannik Sinner was recently asked to name some of his peers who had apparently fallen out with him during a media interaction in Italy. The 23-year-old chided at the question but didn't give a definitive response. Sinner said in reply to the interviewer's question regarding 'snakes' on the ATP Tour:
"No, I didn't understand this one" [translated from Italian].
In light of Sinner's remarks, his girlfriend and World No. 14, Anna Kalinskaya's remarks on the same subject made on Daria Kasatkina's vlog series "What the Vlog?" came to light. The 26-year-old, who is known for her sense of humor, shared an excerpt in which she was joking with Camila Osorio that pros didn't see eye to eye with each other.
Kasatkina also used the term "snakes", which was overheard by Kalinskaya. The latter then claimed that there were "many snakes" on the tour after some deliberation. Kasatkina, laughing at the latter's response, asked the Russian to "drop some names."
Below is the excerpt from their conversation:
KASATKINA: You know what? They're always saying that we are here, we're fighting against each other, that we aren't nice to each other, probably. We are snakes and here you see...
KALINSKAYA: One second, what are you talking about?
KASATKINA: What? The people are thinking like that. I don't think like that.
KALINSKAYA: Well, there are many snakes on tour, let's be honest.
Jannik Sinner says girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya gives him 'positive energy'
Jannik Sinner and Anna Kalinskaya began dating each other at some point in early 2024, following which the Russian was seen in the World No. 1's players' box on multiple occasions. The Italian said two months ago that his girlfriend had been a source of "positive energy."
"As tennis players we are, you know, different. I am different also to other tennis players," Jannik Sinner told CCTV5 in October. "But for sure I always try to support her because she also tries to support me, giving some positive energy."
Sinner enjoyed a career-best season on the ATP Tour in 2024. He picked up his first two Major trophies at the Australian Open and the US Open, won seven other pro titles and won 73 of his 79 tour-level matches.