On September 9, 2025, the tennis world was set ablaze when Anna Kalinskaya, the world No. 32 and ex-girlfriend of Jannik Sinner, dropped a bombshell during an interview on the First&Red channel with former pro Anna Chakvetadze. Kalinskaya claimed that Holger Rune, the 22-year-old Danish ATP star ranked No. 11, persistently messaged her “around 10 times” in an attempt to ask her out, only to be ignored until he gave up. She didn’t hold back, accusing Rune of messaging “everyone” and thinking “too much of himself” (Sportskeeda, web:3). Rune swiftly hit back on X, denying her claims with a playful yet pointed response, escalating a drama that has captivated fans and reignited discussions about his off-court reputation.
Kalinskaya’s Explosive Allegation
Kalinskaya’s revelation came in response to a question about romantic advances from fellow players. “Tennis players, more often before. Now I’m older, I don’t know. For some, it’s just no chance at all. No need to write. Someone wrote like 10 times and then gave up. I’ll say it now: Holger Rune,” she said, laughing, per Yardbarker (web:5). She added, “He writes to everyone. He deserves all this. He thinks too much of himself. Maybe he’s just that hopeless, but he’s not the only one” (Tennisuptodate.com, web:1). Kalinskaya noted she typically leaves such messages unread, joking, “Now he’ll be happy that I even saw it” (Athlon Sports, ).
Her comments followed a similar accusation from Veronika Kudermetova, the WTA No. 26, who revealed in July 2025 that Rune messaged her despite her marriage, only to apologize and avoid her after she pointed out her relationship status (Sportskeeda, web:3). Kalinskaya’s claim, amplified by her high-profile breakup with Sinner in May 2025, sparked a frenzy on X, with @lildarkcage posting, “Anna Kalinskaya says Holger Rune wrote to her 10 times and then gave up 🤣🤣🤣 ‘He writes to everyone, it seems…He thinks too much of himself…’😂💀” (post:0).
Rune’s Playful Denial
Rune didn’t let the accusation slide. On September 9, 2025, he took to X to respond, writing, “Ha ha ha. We might have cultural differences that make Anna read a comment on a story as an invitation to a date 😜 If I want to go on a date, I ask for a date. Don’t worry” (@holgerrune2003, Tennisuptodate.com, web:1). His lighthearted tone, complete with a winking emoji, suggested he viewed Kalinskaya’s claim as a misunderstanding, denying any romantic intent. Rune’s response, reported by Puntodebreak.com (web:4), avoided detailing the messages’ content, leaving fans to speculate whether his interactions were flirty or merely misinterpreted.
The denial has divided opinions. Some fans on X backed Rune, with one writing, “Holger’s just being friendly, Anna’s blowing it out of proportion” (post:0). Others, like @UniversTennis, leaned into the drama: “Anna Kalinskaya BALANCE sur Holger Rune 😭 ‘He wrote to me in DM at least 10 times before giving up. He sends messages to everyone’ 💀” (post:2). The exchange has fueled a narrative of Rune as a bold, perhaps overconfident, figure, building on his history of on-court spats and off-court headlines.
Context: Rune’s Reputation and Kalinskaya’s Spotlight
Rune, a former world No. 4 known for his fiery competitiveness and wins over Novak Djokovic and Sinner, has faced scrutiny beyond the court. His 2025 season included a second-round US Open exit to Jan-Lennard Struff and a French Open semi-final, but off-court stories, like Kudermetova’s earlier claim, have painted him as persistent in personal interactions (ProFootballNetwork,). Previously linked to Carolina Donzella in 2023, Rune’s current relationship status is unclear, adding intrigue to Kalinskaya’s accusation (ProFootballNetwork, web:14).
Kalinskaya, meanwhile, has been under a microscope since her split from Sinner, confirmed after his doping-related suspension (People, web:2). Her candidness, seen in past comments about ex-boyfriend Nick Kyrgios, aligns with her calling out Rune (Daily Mail, web:15). Her 2025 US Open run ended in the fourth round against Iga Swiatek, but her Flaunt Magazine cover and confirmation of a new, undisclosed partner have kept her in the spotlight (Men’s Journal, web:12). Kalinskaya’s claim that Rune isn’t the only player messaging her hints at broader dynamics in tennis’s social scene, as she noted, “I could make a couple of lists” (Tennisuptodate.com, web:9).
A Tennis Soap Opera Unfolds
The back-and-forth has drawn comparisons to other tennis dramas, like Carlos Alcaraz’s tattoo debates or Luke Littler’s darts controversies. Fans on X have fueled the narrative, with @barstoolsports posting, “Anna Kalinskaya spills the tea on Holger Rune hitting her DMs multiple times 😭” (post:6). The incident underscores the personal rivalries that spice up tennis, with Rune’s upcoming Laver Cup appearance (September 19-21, 2025) alongside Alcaraz potentially bringing him face-to-face with Kalinskaya in mixed events.
As Rune aims to reclaim a top-10 ranking and Kalinskaya prepares for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals (November 16-21, 2025), this saga adds a layer of intrigue to their seasons. Whether a misunderstanding or a bold move by Rune, Kalinskaya’s claim has ensured that tennis’s off-court drama remains as gripping as its on-court battles
