Russian tennis player Anna Kalinskaya has stated that she declined repeated messages from Holger Rune, the Danish world No. 11, who she claims contacted her several times seeking a meeting.
Kalinskaya, ranked No. 32 on the WTA Tour, made the comments during an interview on the First&Red podcast hosted by former professional tennis player Anna Chakvetadze.
Asked whether male players on tour had approached her, Kalinskaya said the practice was more common earlier in her career. She explained that one player sent numerous messages before giving up, identifying Rune by name.
“He wrote around ten times,” Kalinskaya declared, adding that she had no intention of responding and characterizing the Dane as overconfident.
She also remarked that other players had attempted similar approaches.
Rune addressed the remarks shortly afterward through a post online.
He disputed Kalinskaya‘s version of events, suggesting she had misinterpreted casual interactions.
“We might have cultural differences that made Anna read a comment as an invitation to a date,” Rune wrote, emphasizing that if he wanted to arrange a meeting he would say so directly.
History of high-profile relationships
Kalinskaya‘s personal life has been a subject of public attention on multiple occasions. Early in her career she was linked to Australian Nick Kyrgios.
The pair began dating in 2020, appearing together at tournaments and other public events. Their relationship ended within the same year, with Kalinskaya later criticizing him publicly during a live social media broadcast.
In 2024, she entered a relationship with Italian player Jannik Sinner, then an emerging star on the ATP Tour. Sinner confirmed the partnership at the French Open, noting that he wished to keep the details private.
Their relationship was widely discussed following Sinner‘s US Open triumph that September, when they shared a celebratory moment on court.
The couple separated later that year. Sinner subsequently told Italian media that he preferred a relationship that did not interfere with his progression as a player, remarks interpreted as confirmation of their split.
Kalinskaya has since been linked once again to Tomas Ferrari, an Argentinian with whom she had previously been involved in 2021. Reports indicate that Ferrari has been present at her matches this season, prompting speculation that the two have renewed their relationship.
Kalinskaya‘s decision to publicly name Rune has highlighted dynamics within the tennis circuit that are often discussed privately but rarely acknowledged in public forums. Rune‘s denial has ensured the matter remains under discussion, reflecting the growing scrutiny of players’ conduct both on and off the court.
For Kalinskaya, the episode adds to a history of relationships and interactions with high-profile figures in the sport, reinforcing the level of attention she receives beyond her performances on the WTA Tour.
Whether further exchanges between her and Rune follow remains to be seen, but the incident underscores how off-court narratives continue to shape the perception of players at the top level of tennis.
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