Holger Rune denies Anna Kalinskaya’s claim that he repeatedly asked her out
Danish player says messages were misread because of 'cultural differences' after Russian star said he messaged her '10 times'
Holger Rune has disputed Anna Kalinskaya’s recent assertion that he repeatedly invited her on a date, saying their exchanges were misinterpreted and attributing the misunderstanding to “cultural differences.”
Kalinskaya, speaking on the First&Red podcast, said this week that “someone wrote like 10 times and then gave up,” and identified Rune as the player she was describing. The 26-year-old Russian, who has previously been linked publicly with Jannik Sinner and Nick Kyrgios, said players often slide into her DMs and singled out Rune as someone who "thinks too much of himself."
Rune, who is ranked No. 11 in the world, responded 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 for a date, I ask for a date. Don't worry.” He denied the version of events described by Kalinskaya, saying he would be direct if he intended to ask someone out.
The exchange follows similar comments from Russian player Veronika Kudermetova, who told a podcast that Rune had contacted her despite her being married. Kudermetova said she told Rune, “Boy, I'm probably too old for you,” and that after she mentioned her husband on Instagram he replied “Oh, sorry,” adding that he no longer greets her.
Kalinskaya also discussed the broader pressures of dating as a public figure, saying it is difficult for two famous people to maintain a private relationship and that agents do not decide players' personal lives. She confirmed her current partner is not an athlete and works in finance; media reports have linked her with businessman Tomas Ferrari, who has been seen courtside at several tournaments this season.
Both players were competing in the hard-court season around the time of the comments. Kalinskaya lost to Iga Swiatek in straight sets at the U.S. Open this year. Rune was eliminated in a five-set match by qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff in the second round.
Neither Rune nor Kalinskaya indicated that the matter would lead to any formal complaint or further public escalation. The comments have nonetheless drawn attention on social media, where clips of the podcast and Rune’s response circulated widely.