MUBADALA CITI DC OPEN

July 26, 2025

Anna Kalinskaya

Press Conference

A. KALINSKAYA/E. Raducanu

6-4, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Congrats. You're through to the final. Can you share your thoughts on the match tonight?

ANNA KALINSKAYA: Yeah, it was a good match from both of us. It's nice to play against Emma. I didn't know what to expect. She's a very tricky player. I'm glad I could stay focused on myself and finish the match in two sets.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. You had such a good start to last year. I know you have had some ups and downs, health-wise and everything since then.

ANNA KALINSKAYA: I can't hear too good.

Q. If you can talk through what it's been like the last year or so, updates. People have been following on the ups and downs you have had over the last while and how you have been able to build back up to this big success again this week?

ANNA KALINSKAYA: I just try to go day by day, because I couldn't control too many things in the past, being sick. It can be very frustrating. But I just go day by day, and this week is a good one for me and I'm very happy.

I stay very positive. Yeah, and I'm glad to play another match tomorrow.

Q. An opportunity for your first title. You have to take care of business tomorrow, but what does this opportunity mean for you, another chance, and at this level, at the 500 level?

ANNA KALINSKAYA: I don't think about it too much, because, I mean, I played final in Madrid with Sorana, even if it's doubles, but we were, like, so nervous and we were, like, so exhausted after (smiling).

I just hope I'm gonna play great, and I want to enjoy it (smiling).

Q. What has worked so well for you so consistently throughout this week? Another straight-set win for you today.

ANNA KALINSKAYA: I think just focusing on my game, like I said before, and just being aggressive. Looking for my rhythm to build the shape and to build for bigger tournaments. Just mentally stay in the moment.

Q. A lot of fans in the United States, if I can walk you back to a moment earlier in your career, may remember you from the big win you had over Sloane Stephens at the US Open. Obviously a lot of time has passed since then. You have had success on the tour. I wonder if you could take a step back into your shoes at that moment. How would you say you've progressed as a competitor or a person since one of those breakthrough moments of your career to now?

ANNA KALINSKAYA: Well, a lot of things happened. It's been many years since that big win, but it gave me a boost of confidence and desire to play on such big courts.

I had a lot of wins over top-10 players after that. It shows me that my level is still there, and I can be there as a top player. I was really close last year to be top 10, but it didn't happen. I guess it was not the time.

But I keep working, and I believe that things are going to come. I just, yeah, I just don't forget to enjoy.

Q. You mentioned almost being in the top 10. We're in an era now where we are stepping away from Serena, Maria, Roger, Rafa being big personalities on tour. Wondering where you fall in the space of playing tennis and also being a brand and a personality that some people can attach to the fun and excitement of tennis. How do you see yourself? Do you lean into that or want to lean into that and be a personality that the WTA can kind of use to move the sport forward and engage with others? Or do you kind of like being a little bit more behind the scenes? Where do you like to fall into that while obviously getting the best out of yourself on the court.

ANNA KALINSKAYA: I mean, they are all great athletes and they achieved so much. But honestly, I just prefer to be myself, and I have my path. Everyone is different. I mean, it's crazy to think how much they win, but I don't compare myself to anyone.

Q. This is your third time in the finals of a WTA event. Obviously you also made the final in Dubai and Berlin. You seem to play some of your very best tennis in very quick conditions and fast courts. What's it about your game that allows you to excel in these conditions?

ANNA KALINSKAYA: I mean, I always like to be aggressive. I like that style of the game. Yeah, I guess the fast court fits me very well, but you need to be fast at making decisions. It's also very challenging.

But I guess when I serve good, return fast, that's what I like the most, and to try to be aggressive as much as I can, and the fast court helps.

Q. On your match today, what do you feel like you were able to do well in both the sets to get on top of Emma early in the rallies?

ANNA KALINSKAYA: I didn't understand.

Q. What do you feel like you did really well today that you're most happy about in your performance against Emma?

ANNA KALINSKAYA: Yeah, I'm happy I won in two sets. Like I said, I didn't know what to expect. She can hit unbelievable big winners.

Today she hit a couple of good ones, so I just had to clap. She's a great player to play against, and yeah, but I'm happy I was better today.

Q. Facing Leylah tomorrow, you don't have a big history against her, but your thoughts on that opponent in the final?

ANNA KALINSKAYA: We played once on a very fast court, a little bit different conditions. She's a very fast player, so it's going to be very intense rallies. That's what I'm expecting tomorrow.

She's a lefty. It's always different to play against a left-handed player. Yeah, I don't know what to expect tomorrow, because it's been years since the last time we played, but let's see.

Q. Working with Patricia, you guys have been together a long time as coach. She's also one of the few former WTA players who has been a coach on the WTA now. What's it been like working with her? How has that relationship helped your tennis still?

ANNA KALINSKAYA: We have been through a lot together. I feel like she's my family (smiling).

I'm sure, like, no matter what, like we'll be always in touch for the rest of the life. It's great to have someone like this for the long term after having so many ups and downs together, learning together, and she knows me so well. Better than anyone, I would say.

It's good, because I really trust her as a human, as a coach. She completely changed me as a person and as a player, like, and I'm sure we still have a lot to learn, and we face our challenges together.