Jannik Sinner watches on concerned as girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya retires at Wimbledon
Anna Kalinskaya was forced to retire injured while facing Elena Rybakina at Wimbledon
Jannik Sinner looked concerned as his girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya had to abandon her Wimbledon match in the second set and retire through injury.
The 17th seed was seen by the physio after taking a lead in the first set. She played on but decided to call it quits while trailing Elena Rybakina 3-6 0-3.
Kalinskaya was appearing in the second week of Wimbledon for the first time and had been bidding to join Sinner in the quarter-final.
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Kalinskaya got off to a flying start as she broke the 2022 champion to love and took a 2-0 lead. After getting broken back, she called the physio early in the first set.
There was some confusion over the issue as she had her neck and her arm checked. The 25-year-old had taken to the court with black strapping on her left wrist but she gestured to the right side when discussing the issue.
"I wonder if it's more of a nerve issue because she was complaining in her hand but obviously the physio is looking at her neck and maybe how it would travel down her arm," Johanna Konta said on BBC commentary. Kalinskaya received a medical time out before resuming the match at 3-4 down.
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But she was clearly hampered and didn't win another game. The No. 4 seed took the opener 6-3 and Kalinskaya decided to play on. The Russian finally gave in after going a double-break down in the second.
"Just could not withstand the power of Elena Rybakina with pain in her arm, her neck. The treatment that she’s received. And for Anna Kalinskaya, her best run at Wimbledon ends in retirement," Kat Downes said. Former champion Ash Barty added: "It’s disappointing for Kalinskaya.
"She obviously had started that match so beautifully, was able to get a break straightaway and really get herself into the match and unfortunately once she hurt that hand, wrist, forearm, whatever the injury exactly is, she was just not able to keep with Rybakina, was overpowered and certainly the momentum shifted dramatically."
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After advancing to the quarter-final, Rybakina said: "Definitely not the way I wanted to finish the match. She’s a great player and I know she was suffering with a couple of injuries. If it’s the wrist it’s difficult to continue to play and I just wish her a speedy recovery."
The world No. 4 is the highest-ranked player left in the draw and won the tournament two years ago but she's not feeling the heat. "Well I don’t feel pressure. Every opponent is difficult and I know that I must always bring my best and that’s what I try to do form every match," she explained. "I’m just really enjoying every time I step out on the court and I am happy I am going fine in the draw and hopefully I can go to the end."