The first racket of Ukraine Angelina Kalinina wrote a blog for the official website of the ITF, in which she summed up the completed season and talked about the impact of the war in Ukraine on performances on the tour:
“I am very proud to have played almost a full WTA season. I think the only tournament I missed was Guadalajara and all of September when I was sick, but at the same time, I played in all the biggest competitions. I had decent results – the fourth round in Miami, the quarterfinals in Charleston, Madrid and Eastbourne, so it was a very good experience for me. This season I played with many top players. Last year I was constantly playing at the ITF level, so it’s great that I moved to a full-fledged performance in the WTA.
In fact, this is a very complex calendar. We started playing in Australia, then we moved to Doha, then to America, then back to Europe. This is my first time moving like this. In previous years, I played at the ITF, so it was a completely different schedule for me. Now I understand how hard it is to move to one place, then to another part of the world, move from hard to clay and so on. Everything is a new experience, a new schedule, new players. No matter how hard it is, it is very motivating.
I know that I can compete with these players. I win some of them, I lose some, but I feel like I’m moving in the right direction and I still have a lot to improve to be stable at this level. This year I saw the skill of top-level players, how strong they are. Everyone is competitive, but the top 30 players are incredible because they stay there all year round.
Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Angelina Kalinina
Next year I need to be more stable. This season, I never thought about my ranking, I just tried to play every match as well as I could. Sometimes it worked, sometimes not so much. But next year I already know all the tournaments and know what to expect from them. I hope I improve my movement, my shots, my serve and make another dash. As Nadal says, every day you need to improve something.
My husband is on Tour with me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but my fitness trainer was unable to go because of the war, so this year I lived without proper physical training. I’m based in Slovakia for the pre-season and I’m looking forward to seeing how things play out.
The war affects a lot in my life and the lives of all other residents of Ukraine. When I do my job, I have to do my best and try to concentrate. But in February, I couldn’t concentrate on anything. It’s about much more than tennis… than sports. It affects the whole country and all people. My whole family is there. It’s impossible to put into words how this has affected me, but I’m just trying to do my best at this moment.
I tried to find positive moments in my work on the tennis court, but it was very difficult. I try to relax as much as possible. I talk on the phone with my family and try to stay in touch with them as much as possible. In September, I went home for the first time in a whole year. I went to Kyiv by train. The road there took almost a day. It was emotionally crazy.
Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Angelina Kalinina
The last time I was in Kyiv was on February 17, and a week later the war began. I left with my husband to play in Doha, and then it all started. Being able to go home to my parents, my brother, my grandparents for seven days in September was the best time… the best seven days this year. Everyone was there, at home. My husband’s mom and his brother, all the dogs, all the cats, they were all there. It was the most enjoyable time I have had this year. I couldn’t leave my family for a second. It was the best time.
It was so hard, but I have my people, my friends, my very close friends. Everyone is supportive in every way they can, I appreciate everything they have done for me and my family. To everyone who supports us… Thank you, I appreciate it.”
Note that on December 5, Kalinina will play at a tournament in France.
