Anna Kalinskaya says Holger Rune messaged her '10 times'; Rune replies
Kalinskaya, seeking her first Grand Slam singles title, said she ignored repeated direct messages from Rune and other players; Rune called it a cultural misunderstanding.
Russian tennis player Anna Kalinskaya said in a television interview that Danish star Holger Rune was among several male players who had repeatedly messaged her on social media, at one point sending a message "like 10 times," and that she ignored the advances.
Kalinskaya, 26, made the comment on the show "First&Red," saying she had brushed off multiple direct messages and that Rune "thinks too much of himself." "He writes to everyone," she added, noting he was not the only player to contact her. "A couple (more)."
Rune responded publicly to a clip of the interview on the social platform X, writing, "Ha ha ha. We might have cultural differences that make Anna read a comment on a story as an invitation to a date. If I want to go on a date, I ask for a date. Don’t worry." The exchange drew attention on social media and in tennis coverage.
Kalinskaya, who has one WTA singles title and four doubles titles, is ranked No. 32 in the world. She did not compete at the Australian Open this year, was eliminated in the first round at the French Open, reached the second round at Wimbledon and advanced to the third round at the U.S. Open. Her best Grand Slam result remains the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2024. She previously dated Italian player Jannik Sinner.
Social media interactions between players and public figures have drawn scrutiny in recent seasons as athletes manage personal and professional boundaries while traveling on tour. Kalinskaya's comments follow that broader pattern of athletes speaking about communications they receive off the court.
