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The ongoing phenomenon that is Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers has made tennis seem hotter than ever—not that it wasn’t already a sexy sport. (I mean, what other athletic endeavor besides cheerleading requires a cute little skirt?) And right on time, Italian player Jannik Sinner—who is currently ranked second in the world and angling for his first French Open title—has gone public with his romance with Russian player Anna Kalinskaya. Below, a quick rundown on Kalinskaya, Sinner’s (brief) remarks about their relationship, and everything else you need to know:
Who is Anna Kalinskaya?
Kalinskaya, who was born in Moscow, is perhaps best known for her first-round upset over Sloane Stephens at the US Open in 2019, two years after Stephens had won that tournament. (The match marked Kalinskaya���s first appearance at a major.) These days, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) ranks Kalinskaya at number 25 in singles and 151 in doubles.
The now 25-year-old player also enjoyed a successful junior career, with her highest combined ranking placing her at number three in the world. Kalinskaya represented her native country at the 2020 Billie Jean King Cup, winning the doubles rubber with her partner Anna Blinkova and thus helping Russia make it into the finals. Most recently Kalinskaya won her first match at the 2024 French Open against Clara Burel of France and was seen cheering Sinner on at his match against Christopher Eubanks later that day.
What has Sinner said about their relationship?
“You know, I don’t like to talk much about my private life,” Sinner said in Italian (his native language) during a post-match press conference on Monday. “Yes, I’m with Anna, but we keep everything very confidential. I won’t say more.” An elegant man, to be sure!
Who have Sinner and Kalinskaya dated in the past?
Sinner was previously romantically linked to 23-year-old model Maria Braccini, who, like Sinner, hails from Italy. They were together from 2020 until recently, but not much is known about their relationship, given Sinner’s emphasis on privacy. Kalinskaya, for her part, dated fellow tennis player Nick Kyrgios from 2019 to 2020.
Has Kalinskaya said anything publicly about her relationship with Sinner?
Not yet, but perhaps she just wants to focus on tennis and not the identity of her boyfriend. (Valid!)
