Behind every success story for a player, multiple things count. Right mindset, proper schedule, discipline, and a lot more. That’s probably what made the likes of Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka the best in the world. While everyone wants to be like them, there are hardly a few who reach that level and now it seems that Anna Kalinskaya has set her sight for nothing but the best. But, what does she need to do for that?

Anna Kalinskaya, currently at a career-high ranking of  11, revealed her aspirations to become one of the best players in the game. Drawing inspiration from stars like Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, Kalinskaya opened up about the changes she plans to make to compete at the highest level.

She talked about the importance of finding balance and simplifying her life outside tennis. “I think [the key is to] change some things in my life — not training, but adjust a little bit my lifestyle to make it more simple, enjoy things on my off days to have a good balance,” Kalinskaya shared in an exclusive interview with Bazaar Australia. She also highlighted the need to prioritize personal happiness and recharge during downtime. “And have a better schedule to know when you can see your friends so you can be happier outside of the court. I can get recharged, so I can compete better and have more energy, and be better mentally.”

Kalinskaya believes these changes will help her reach the level of Swiatek and Sabalenka. “Then, I can be as good as them,” she added confidently. Kalinskaya aims to match the success of players like Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, who had stellar seasons in 2024. Sabalenka dominated the year, winning two Grand Slams at the Australian Open and US Open – and regaining the World No. 1 ranking. She showed her consistency with titles at Cincinnati and Wuhan.

Swiatek also impressed fans with her performance – winning her fifth Grand Slam at the French Open. Despite facing setbacks, including a suspension, Swiatek remained resilient and delivered a magnificent performance at Billie Jean King Cup. This shows how Kalinskaya’s determination to refine her approach and create a strong foundation for success could see her level up with the greats. With a new year coming in, she will be looking to stun everyone and keep her strong momentum going.

Further in the interview, she also opened up on her injuries and how it has made her better in the tennis world.

Anna Kalinskaya opens up on her battle with injuries and how it helped

Anna Kalinskaya has shared her experience with injuries. She revealed how the challenges have shaped her perspective and helped her improve. Reflecting on the struggles, Kalinskaya said:

“For me, it was a bit shocking, because it was the longest injury I’d had. But [at the same time] I realised how much I missed tennis and how much it gives, how many emotions it gives me, how many different things in my life it brings me, like meeting new people and having your routine. It was, for me, a big realisation.” Well, that’s a great outlook.

Kalinskaya suffered a left hamstring injury during her third-round match against Elena Rybakina at the Italian Open in May. The injury sidelined her for months, forcing her to miss Major tournaments like the French Open and Wimbledon. Her road to recovery was long, but she made a strong return at the US Open in August – showing her determination.

This period allowed Kalinskaya to rediscover her passion for the sport and build a stronger mindset. Her time away from the court helped her value tennis even more. Now back in action, Kalinskaya is determined to use these lessons to elevate her game and compete with the best players on the tour.