Heartbreak for Anna Kalinskaya as Possible Heatstroke Forces Early Exit vs Belinda Bencic Ahead of Australian Open
Anna Kalinskaya’s preparations for the 2025 Australian Open suffered a devastating blow as she was forced to retire from her match against Belinda Bencic at the Adelaide International due to what appeared to be heatstroke. The No. 7 seed was visibly struggling throughout the match before deciding to retire during the second set.
The match, which many expected to be a thrilling contest, quickly turned into a one-sided affair. Bencic, the current World No. 421 and playing as a qualifier, took control from the outset, breaking Kalinskaya in the first game and again in the seventh game to secure the first set 6-2. Kalinskaya, who appeared uncomfortable on the court, battled on but was unable to keep up with Bencic’s intensity.
Early in the second set, after being broken once more, Kalinskaya was visibly struggling with her condition. The intense heat in Adelaide had taken its toll, and she appeared fatigued and off-balance, leading to concerns of heatstroke. After consulting with the trainers, Kalinskaya made the difficult decision to retire from the match, ensuring she would not worsen her condition ahead of the Australian Open.
Belinda Bencic, who has been gradually finding her form after returning from maternity leave in late 2024, expressed sympathy for Kalinskaya in her post-match interview. “I didn’t want to win this way. I wish Anna all the best and hope she’s ready for the Australian Open. I felt good out there, but it’s never nice to see someone struggling like that. I want to thank everyone for their support today.”
The Swiss player is on an unexpected run in Adelaide, having qualified by defeating Moyuka Uchijima and Laura Siegemund in earlier rounds. Now, she will face Liudmila Samsonova in the round of 16 as she continues her bid to return to the top ranks of the WTA.
Bencic, who has kept her expectations in check following her maternity break, added, “My expectations are low right now. This comeback is happening faster than I expected. I just want to enjoy the process and take it day by day.”
As for Kalinskaya, her focus will shift to recovery, hoping that the heatstroke incident won’t affect her readiness for the upcoming Australian Open.
