“If Rybakina is going to continue like this, maybe new world No 1 for sure” – Kalinina

The Ukrainian also said she was proud of her fighting spirit over the past two weeks in Rome

Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina and Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina at the 2023 Italian Open Image Credit: AI/Reuters/Panoramic

May 21, 2023

Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina, who finished runner-up to Elena Rybakina at the Italian Open in Rome on Saturday, has predicted her Kazakh rival can go on to become world No 1 in the future if she continues playing at her current level.

Rybakina picked up her second title of 2023 (and fifth career title) when Kalinina retired while trailing 6-4, 1-0 in the final on Saturday night. The Kazakh has won two WTA 1000 events – Indian Wells and Rome – and also reached the final of the Australian Open and Miami, climbing all the way to No 4 when the new rankings come out on Monday.

The pair are good friends and first played on the tour seven or eight years ago on the ITF circuit. The Ukrainian revealed that Rybakina has improved by leaps and bounds since then and named the Kazakh as one of the leading contenders for Roland-Garros which begins next week.

“Anyone can win in Paris, but she has good chances. She’s serving 200 kilometers. Not only 200, she’s also making winners like no one on tour,” Kalinina said.

“I remember we were playing 25K in China many years ago, maybe seven, eight years. But she was very young. She improved, I think, all aspects of her game, she made them very consistent. She’s much more powerful. Amazing power, fitness, everything. But with her serve, even at that moment when we were playing on 25K, she was serving like very good, but it was like not the consistent serve I would say. Now I think it’s her huge weapon. Huge, without any doubt. She’s amazing player, top player. I am sure if she’s going to do like this, maybe new world No 1 for sure.”

Anhelina Kalinina on Rome final against Rybakina: “I’m really sorry I couldn’t play. I was trying to do my best. I want to congratulate Elena for everything you’ve done this year. It’s really inspiring.

She also said “Thank you Italy for supporting Ukraine.. It means a lot” pic.twitter.com/M3stEuqCvN
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 20, 2023

“I was fighting despite of the score, any situation, any weather conditions, opponents” – Kalinina

Although she was not able to finish the final, Kalinina said she was proud of her run this week – reaching her first WTA 1000 final and achieving a new career-high ranking (projected to rise to No 25) – and wants to focus on improving her game and not worry about rankings or points.

“I’m most proud of my fighting spirit these two weeks. I was fighting despite of the score, any situation, any weather conditions, opponents. Everyone was very tough. A serious draw,” the 26-year-old said. “I am very just proud that I was able to compete at this level with these quality matches and was able to win them.

“I’m trying to focus on my tennis, on my game, what I have to improve. I have a lot of things to improve (smiling). I have a lot of work to do. It’s ambitions but about my game, not about other things, not concerning about the game.”