Anna Kalinskaya reveals Holger Rune’s persistence in messaging her for a date on the tennis circuit

Anna Kalinskaya, a 26-year-old Russian tennis player ranked world No. 32 in the WTA, stirred the tennis world by revealing in a recent interview that Denmark’s Holger Rune, ATP No. 11, repeatedly messaged her privately seeking a date. The disclosure came during a conversation on the First&Red podcast, hosted by former player Anna Chakvetadze, shortly after Kalinskaya’s exit in the US Open 2025 fourth round in New York, where she lost to Poland’s Iga Świątek in three sets. Rune, a 22-year-old rising star, quickly responded on social media, attributing the misunderstanding to cultural differences and denying any direct date invitation. The revelation sheds light on personal interactions among elite athletes who frequently cross paths at global tournaments, while also raising questions about the social dynamics in professional tennis. Kalinskaya, who previously dated Italian star Jannik Sinner, world No. 1, and Australian Nick Kyrgios, emphasized that she ignores unwanted messages, leaving them unanswered until the sender gives up. The episode sparked immediate buzz among fans and peers, blending humor and curiosity about life off the court.

The Russian, known for her candidness, described the incident lightheartedly, laughing as she admitted Rune messaged her about ten times before stopping. She noted this happened some time ago when approaches from ATP players were more frequent in her life. Kalinskaya, who began playing tennis at age five in Moscow, where her parents were professional badminton players, has a rising career with recent doubles titles, including the WTA 1000 Madrid in 2025 alongside Sorana Cîrstea. Her US Open performance, reaching the third round for the first time in a Grand Slam since 2023, solidifies her as a strong competitor, though the interview shifted focus to her personal life.

Meanwhile, Rune, born in Gentofte and a standout since winning Denmark’s national indoor championship at 15, is known for his confidence and aggressive play. His response came with irony: in a post on X, he wrote that cultural differences might have led Kalinskaya to misinterpret a casual comment as a romantic advance, adding that if he wanted a date, he’d ask directly. The Dane, who peaked at No. 4 in 2023 and won five ATP titles, including the 2022 Paris Masters 1000 against Novak Djokovic, has faced similar scrutiny before. Months earlier, Russian player Veronika Kudermetova, married and ranked WTA No. 40, revealed Rune approached her despite her marital status, which surprised her. These incidents paint a picture of a young talent who, off the court, pushes boundaries in personal interactions.

Details of Kalinskaya’s interview

The First&Red podcast, recorded in New York during the US Open, delved into Kalinskaya’s life beyond competition. Asked about romantic advances from peers, she said ATP players were more persistent in the past, but now, at 26, she filters interests better.

• She laughed, saying someone messaged her “like ten times and then gave up” without initially naming them.
• Pressed by the host, Kalinskaya revealed: “I’ll say it now, but… Holger Rune. He messages everyone. He deserves this, thinks too much of himself or maybe he’s just hopeless.”
• She added she doesn’t reply to uninterested parties, leaving messages on read, joking Rune would be thrilled she even saw them.
• Kalinskaya noted Rune isn’t alone; “a few others” tried too, but she prioritizes her career.
• On dating within the tour, she said she knows players who dated tennis pros, but men are “unusual and a bit depressive,” fixated on results.

This openness contrasts with Kalinskaya’s usual discretion, as she avoided discussing her May 2025 breakup with Sinner, confirmed by the Italian at the Italian Open. Rumors link her to Argentine Tomas Ferrari, with whom she was involved in 2021, and her dog Bella has joined her at tournaments, bringing positivity.

Rune’s response and social media buzz

Holger Rune, trained at the Mouratoglou academy since age 13 and known for his fierce mentality, reacted hours after the interview clip went viral. His X post, with a winking emoji, downplayed the situation and gained thousands of interactions.

• Rune posted: “Haha. Maybe cultural differences make Anna read a story comment as a date invite. If I want to go out, I ask directly. No worries.”
• Fans were split: some laughed, calling it “tennis drama,” while others backed Kalinskaya for calling out unwanted advances.
• The episode echoed Kudermetova’s case, who told Elena Vesnina that Rune contacted her despite her marriage, calling it “surprising.”
• Memes online dubbed Rune a “persistent chaser,” but he stayed focused on tennis, preparing for the Asian swing.
• Kalinskaya moved on, posting about training and her dog, ignoring Rune’s reply.

The buzz highlights how tennis, an individual sport, blends professional and personal lives at global events. Rune, with five ATP titles and Grand Slam quarterfinals, including Wimbledon and Roland Garros, remains a prospect, but these incidents add layers to his public image.

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Kalinskaya’s romantic history on the tour

Anna Kalinskaya, born December 2, 1998, has a notable dating history in tennis. Her brief 2020 romance with Kyrgios ended publicly, with her calling him a “bad person” on social media.

• In 2024, she confirmed a relationship with Sinner at the French Open, forming a “power couple” until early 2025.
• Sinner, current No. 1, announced his single status in May, while rumors reconnect Kalinskaya with Ferrari.
• The Russian, who peaked at No. 11 in 2024, has four doubles titles and one singles title, focusing on health post-injuries.
• She described dating tennis players as tough: “They’re fixated on wins, depressive after losses, while women are more positive.”
• Kalinskaya praised mutual support in tour couples but prefers distance now, aiming for the top 20.

Her career includes top-10 wins, like against Świątek in Dubai 2024, and Fed Cup appearances for Russia. Off court, she visits academies in Ukraine, her mother’s homeland, and calls the Russia-Ukraine war “sad and scary.”

Common approaches among pro athletes

In tennis, where players share hotels and events, personal interactions are common. Kalinskaya noted ATP approaches lessen with age but persist.

• She said “girls focus on results but are more positive than men, obsessed with goals.”
• Rune, in a Tennis Channel interview, described ideal dates as “walks or drinks, not formal dinners,” admitting travel hinders relationships.
• Similar cases include Kudermetova, married since 2023, who rejected Rune citing maturity.
• Fans debate if such stories distract from the sport, but Kalinskaya sees them as part of life: “Now, Bella gives me positivity.”
• The WTA and ATP promote mental health, with anti-harassment programs, but these incidents reveal real dynamics.

Rune, with a historic ranking for a Dane, has beaten Alcaraz and Sinner but struggles with consistency against lower rivals. His coach, Kenneth Carlsen, a former player, focuses on emotional stability.

Recent careers of Kalinskaya and Rune

Kalinskaya, who moved to the US at 14 to train, won her first Challenger in 2019 and rose quickly. In 2025, she reached the fourth round in Washington and Brisbane in doubles.

• At the US Open, she defeated Clervie Ngounoue and Yulia Putintseva before Świątek, showing hard-court potential.
• She criticized WTA scheduling, like Cincinnati’s, as “unfair” but praised top rivals as motivating.
• Rune, a US Open 2025 second-round runner-up to Struff, has 28 wins in 2025 but faced injury setbacks.
• The Dane, a Federer and Nadal fan, uses a powerful forehand and consistent backhand, reaching quarterfinals in three Slams.
• Both are prepping for Asia: Kalinskaya for Seoul, Rune for Tokyo, focusing on post-US Open recovery.

These athletes, at their peak, navigate fame and personal lives, with the episode adding levity to the intense tour.