Who is Anna Kalinskaya? Jannik Sinner rumoured to be dating rising tennis star
Jannik Sinner has been attracting headlines on and off the court during the French Open.
The Italian is a favourite for victory at Roland Garros – and could well be world No 1 by the end of the event – but rumours are swirling around his private life.
Sinner is thought to be dating Anna Kalinskaya, herself an established figure in the game.
We look at all you need to know about the rising WTA star currently ranked world No 25.
Junior star
Kalinskaya was a hugely successful junior, reaching a career-high of third in the ITF Rankings.
Arguably the most notable moment of her junior career came at the 2015 French Open, where she reached the girls’ singles final – losing to future world No 2 Paula Badosa.
She was also a junior US Open doubles finalist with compatriot Anastasia Potapova in 2015, while the following year she won the Australian Open title with Tereza Mihalíková.
Read More: Jannik Sinner rumoured to be dating fellow tennis player
Promising form – followed by struggles
Kalinskaya has certainly shown huge potential throughout her career, with three top 10 wins to her name before 2024 – over Sloane Stephens, Karolina Pliskova, and Elena Rybakina.
However, she has had her fair share of ups and downs throughout her career, dropping out of the top 100 throughout parts of 2020 and 2021 – and again in 2023 – due to poor form or injury.
But, under the coaching of former WTA player Patricia Tarabini since June 2019, Kalinskaya has remained patient – and is now thriving.
Recent rise – and Swiatek victory
2024 has been the strongest season of Kalinskaya’s career to date, with some stunning results for the 25-year-old.
She started the season in style Down Under, reaching her first Grand Slam quarter-final at the Australian Open.
The Russian beat Stephens in round three to reach the second week of a Slam for the first time, and then beat 26th seed Jasmine Paolini to reach the last eight.
Having the week of her life
Anna Kalinskaya defeats world No.1 Swiatek 6-4, 6-4 to become just the second qualifier to reach a WTA 1000 final!#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/0hzxG49YME
— wta (@WTA) February 23, 2024
And she certainly gave it a good go in her maiden major quarter-final, leading eventual finalist Zheng Qinwen by a set before falling in three sets.
Off the back of that run, she then reached the biggest final of her career at the Dubai Tennis Championships – picking up a career-best victory on her way to the title match.
After coming through qualifying, Kalinskaya picked up two main draw victories before shocking ninth seed Jelena Ostapenko, and then third seed Coco Gauff.
But it was her semi-final victory over Iga Swiatek that raised more than a few eyebrows, stunning the No 1 6-4, 6-4 to reach the final.
She served for the match in the final against Paolini, though was ultimately beaten in three sets.
Previously, she was also part of the Russian Tennis Federation squad that won the Billie Jean King Cup in 2021.
Kyrgios relationship
Sinner is not the first tennis star that she has dated, with a brief relationship with Nick Kyrgios lasting from 2019 and 2020.
Kyrgios was spotted in her box during a 2019 Citi Open match, and they were seen attending a LA Lakers game in 2020.
But the relationship did not last long, with the Russian confirming their break-up during an Instagram Live.
She said: “We broke up. We aren’t friends. You all are his fans and it’s cool, but I’m not going to talk about him. I have some respect for me as well, please. Thanks.”
‘Sinnerskaya’?
This could be a big year for her on and off the court, with rumours now swirling about a relationship with Sinner – and only fuelled by events in Paris.
Social media detectives spotted the pairing together a couple of times in Paris ahead of main draw action beginning, including on the practice courts at Roland Garros.
And, in maybe the biggest clue yet, Kalinskaya was spotted watching the world No 2 during his opening-round win over Chris Eubanks on Monday.
Sinner refused to comment about the relationship when questioned about it post-match but it is a story to keep an eye on, especially with Kalinskaya 23rd seed in the women’s draw.