Anna Kalinskaya’s Withdrawal from Singapore Open Semis Sparks Heated Backlash from Tennis Realm
Injuries are an inevitable part of sports, and Anna Kalinskaya knows this all too well. The Russian tennis star was on the verge of securing her first singles title at the Singapore Open when yet another injury derailed her journey. She was forced to withdraw from her semi-final match against Ann Li, reigniting concerns about her recurring health issues. Fans are now questioning her frequent withdrawals—what do they have to say?
As the tournament’s top seed, the World No. 14 was expected to have a strong showing. However, her unseeded opponent, World No. 85 Ann Li, proved to be a formidable challenge. Li edged out the first set 7-6 in a 57-minute battle, after which Kalinskaya took a medical timeout (MTO) for treatment on her right thigh. Despite efforts to continue, she retired from the match after losing the first game of the second set.
Kalinskaya had already shown signs of physical struggle earlier in the tournament, taking an MTO against Caroline Dolehide in a grueling three-setter. Her withdrawal now clears the path for Li to compete in the final against either China’s Wang Xinyu or Belgium’s Elise Mertens on February 2.
Fans have not taken Kalinskaya’s latest setback lightly. Many expressed frustration over her inconsistent performance, with some even questioning the legitimacy of her injuries.
Fans React to Anna Kalinskaya’s Withdrawal at Singapore Open
Social media platform X was abuzz with reactions to Kalinskaya’s retirement. One disappointed fan posted, “My player gets injuries all the time, she’s too fragile…The first trophy was so close… 😕🫶🏻”
Kalinskaya’s recent history adds fuel to the debate. She withdrew from the Australian Open due to a viral infection and retired from her Adelaide International match against Belinda Bencic, reportedly due to heatstroke. Last season, she reached the Miami Open’s last 16 but pulled out before her match against Maria Sakkari, citing a hip injury.
Some fans believe these frequent withdrawals are not coincidental. A user commented, “I guess MTO didn’t disturb her opponent’s momentum this time. Her next step is retirement. Faker!” Another added, “Anna is fake and unserious! Every time she loses, she has an injury! She is pathetic…”
Many even compared her situation to that of British tennis star Emma Raducanu, who has also faced persistent injury struggles. One user sarcastically remarked, “Kalinskaya is the Queen 👸🏻 of @WTA MTOs & Retirements! 🤯 and as a very close runner-up, we have Raducanu!”
Raducanu, who made history by winning the 2021 US Open as a qualifier, has since struggled with injuries. The 22-year-old underwent surgeries on both wrists and an ankle, missing most of the 2023 season. Although she made a return in 2024, she withdrew from WTA 1000 tournaments in Dubai and Miami and was sidelined again due to a foot injury sustained at the Korea Open. She also participated in the Singapore Open but was eliminated in the first round.
Another fan mockingly wrote, “Second tournament, second retirement. Emma vibes. Very strong mental.”
Despite her undeniable talent, Anna Kalinskaya’s repeated injuries continue to cast doubts over her consistency. Can she overcome these setbacks and claim her first singles title? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
