Jannik Sinner’s victory at the 2025 Australian Open was a moment of triumph that solidified his place among tennis’s next generation of stars. As the young Italian’s career continues to rise, so too does the attention on his personal life—especially when it comes to his relationship with Russian tennis player Anna Kalinskaya. With both of them at the forefront of the tennis world, the spotlight on their relationship has been impossible to ignore. But Kalinskaya, who has her own burgeoning career, has recently opened up about the pressure she feels, both as a tennis player and as Sinner’s girlfriend, in the wake of his massive Australian Open victory.
In an honest and candid interview, Kalinskaya shed light on the mental and emotional challenges she faces in navigating her relationship with Sinner while also pursuing her own career on the WTA Tour. With the success of her boyfriend comes expectations and scrutiny, and Kalinskaya doesn’t shy away from acknowledging how these factors influence her. It’s an insightful look into the life of two young athletes at the top of their game, dealing with the intersection of love, sport, and public life.
### **The Pressure of Being in the Spotlight**
Jannik Sinner’s Australian Open win was a huge milestone, both for him personally and for Italian tennis. The 21-year-old’s powerful performance not only made him a Grand Slam champion but also thrust him into the global spotlight. But while Sinner was celebrated for his victory, Kalinskaya found herself facing an entirely different type of attention—one that brought its own set of challenges.
In her interview, Kalinskaya admitted that the pressure to live up to the expectations of being Sinner’s girlfriend, particularly after such a high-profile victory, was sometimes overwhelming. “When you’re in a relationship with someone who is so successful, there’s this constant feeling of being compared or judged,” she said. “People always expect you to match up to their achievements in some way. It’s difficult because you’re your own person with your own dreams and goals, but it feels like people just want you to fit into this narrative of the perfect tennis couple.”
Kalinskaya’s vulnerability in speaking about these pressures offers a rare glimpse into the mental and emotional toll that public attention can have on athletes’ personal lives. While many fans see the glamor of a high-profile relationship, the reality is far more complex. Kalinskaya is a talented athlete in her own right, currently ranked in the WTA’s top 30, yet her accomplishments often seem to be overshadowed by the immense success of her boyfriend.
### **Balancing Love and Career**
As a professional tennis player, Anna Kalinskaya has her own ambitions and career to focus on. Like many in the tennis world, she’s worked tirelessly to carve out her own identity, develop her game, and compete at the highest levels. But the reality of being in a relationship with someone like Sinner means that her career is frequently viewed through a different lens, one that is often intertwined with his.
“I’m proud of Jannik. He deserves all the recognition for his hard work. But I’m also working every day to achieve my own goals,” Kalinskaya said. “It’s not easy to separate our lives. When we’re together, it’s hard not to talk about tennis all the time. But at the same time, we try to support each other in our own individual journeys.”
For Kalinskaya, finding the balance between supporting her boyfriend’s career and staying true to her own professional path is an ongoing challenge. It’s a dynamic that many athletes in relationships face: the need to prioritize their own ambitions while also being there for their partner’s achievements. And when both players are competing at such high levels, the balance becomes even more delicate.
Kalinskaya also opened up about the pressures of competing in a sport that is as mentally taxing as tennis. She discussed how the media attention surrounding her relationship with Sinner can sometimes add unnecessary pressure to her game. “It’s easy for people to forget that we’re individuals with our own struggles and successes,” she explained. “When Jannik does well, everyone praises him, but I feel like people forget that I’m also out there trying to do my best, dealing with my own challenges. It’s not always easy to keep up the confidence when the spotlight is so heavily on him.”
### **The Expectations That Come With Success**
The success of Sinner, especially after his Australian Open win, has led to increased media coverage of his personal life. The couple, often seen together at tournaments or in their downtime, has become something of a tennis power couple. But while there is a certain appeal to this image of a perfect duo, Kalinskaya is quick to point out that it’s not always as seamless as it may appear from the outside.
“I think a lot of people assume that because Jannik and I are both professional tennis players, we have everything figured out,” Kalinskaya said. “They see us traveling together, supporting each other, and they think it’s all perfect. But there are a lot of days when things aren’t so easy. We both deal with the highs and lows of our careers, and sometimes those lows can be difficult to share.”
For Kalinskaya, the external expectations placed on her because of her relationship with Sinner can often feel like an additional layer of stress. In a world where professional tennis is already highly competitive and demanding, the added pressure of living up to the expectations of fans and the media is a significant challenge.
One of the more difficult aspects of this scrutiny, she explains, is the way the public sometimes views her successes and setbacks. “When I win, it’s like, ‘Oh, that’s great, but Jannik must be so proud.’ When I lose, the narrative quickly shifts to, ‘Well, Jannik’s doing well, so she should be too.’ It’s a weird dynamic, and it can be tough to deal with.”
### **The Support System: How They Lean on Each Other**
Despite the external pressures, Kalinskaya is quick to highlight the supportive nature of her relationship with Sinner. While there may be external expectations, the couple finds comfort in each other’s company and understanding. “Jannik and I are able to talk about things in a way that feels honest. He knows what it’s like to face pressure. He’s been there. So we’re able to lean on each other,” Kalinskaya said.
This mutual support is crucial in maintaining a healthy balance between their personal and professional lives. Both athletes know the sacrifices that come with being in the public eye and competing at the highest level, which makes their relationship a valuable source of strength. “We get each other’s struggles. When he wins, I’m there to celebrate, and when he loses, I’m there to help him get through it. It’s the same the other way around. We know what it means to push through the tough times,” Kalinskaya added.
### **Looking Ahead: Navigating the Future**
As Kalinskaya continues to make strides in her own career, the couple’s relationship will no doubt remain a subject of interest for fans and media alike. But in the midst of the pressure, Kalinskaya remains grounded and focused on her own journey.
“I’m incredibly proud of what Jannik has achieved, and I’m focused on my own career. I know that I have the potential to do well, and I’ll continue working hard for my own success,” Kalinskaya said. “The pressure is real, but I’ve learned to handle it. We both support each other, and at the end of the day, that’s what matters.”
As Jannik Sinner’s career continues to ascend, it’s clear that Anna Kalinskaya’s journey is just beginning. While the external pressure may never fully subside, the couple’s mutual respect and understanding will likely continue to be a source of strength as they navigate their careers—both as individuals and as a couple.