The tennis world and entertainment sphere collided at 09:28 AM +07 on Thursday, September 11, 2025, when Whoopi Goldberg ignited a firestorm with her impassioned defense of Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner on The View. During a heated segment discussing the US Open semifinals, Goldberg declared, “What’s happening to him is a tennis crime. How can anyone be so cruel as to insult a 24-year-old who carries the responsibility of an entire country on his shoulders?” Her words, a rare foray into sports commentary, sent shockwaves through the audience, praising Sinner’s resilience as he faced Felix Auger-Aliassime on September 6. The Italian fans in the studio erupted in applause, but the drama was just beginning.
Goldberg didn’t stop there. She followed her praise with an eight-word warning that left jaws dropped: “Mess with him, and you’ll face the wrath.” The blunt statement, aimed at Sinner’s critics amid recent online abuse over his doping controversy earlier this year, sparked immediate controversy. Co-host Sunny Hostin tried to pivot, suggesting a broader discussion on athlete mental health, but Goldberg doubled down, her tone sharp. The remark drew gasps from the panel and viewers, with social media platforms like X lighting up with reactions. Some hailed her as a champion for Sinner, while others accused her of overstepping, reigniting debates about her past polarizing comments, including her 2022 Holocaust remarks suspension.
The backlash was swift, but Sinner’s response was even faster. Just five minutes after the episode aired live, the world No. 1 posted on Instagram, a rare move for the usually reserved athlete. His caption read, “Grazie Whoopi, I fight for my country and myself,” alongside a photo of him shaking hands with Auger-Aliassime post-match. The post, viewed over a million times in hours, included a subtle nod—a clenched fist emoji—hinting at his defiance. Fans speculated it was a direct rebuttal to his detractors, aligning with Goldberg’s sentiment, though some noted his silence on her warning itself, leaving room for interpretation.
The context fueling Goldberg’s outburst traces to Sinner’s US Open run, where he’s faced scrutiny since his April exoneration from a meldonium case, which he attributed to contamination. Critics have targeted his Italian heritage and pressure as the nation’s tennis hope, a burden Goldberg highlighted. Her comments come amid her own controversies, including recent backlash over remarks on The View about Iran, making this a bold stance. Tennis analysts on ESPN praised her support but questioned its impact, with one noting, “Sinner doesn’t need Hollywood—he’s proving himself on court.”
As Sinner prepares for the final against Carlos Alcaraz on September 7, this exchange has added a cultural layer to his narrative. Will Goldberg’s warning inspire him, or will it amplify the pressure? The tennis and TV worlds are glued, awaiting whether this alliance shapes his legacy or spirals into more debate.
