With the 2025 season kicking off with great energy, Anna Kalinskaya is among the players eager to make this year unforgettable. Although her singles match at the Brisbane International didn’t go as planned as she lost to Ashlyn Kruger. However, she bounced back with a strong performance in doubles alongside Priscilla Hon. Now entering the final round of the tournament, Kalinskaya appears pleased with her progress, which might explain why she’s elevating her expectations for the season!

Earlier on the WTA Instagram page, Kalinskaya and her fellow players were asked who they believed would achieve a new milestone this season. While stars like Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa picked themselves or others, Kalinskaya offered a refreshingly honest response to the question, “Who will reach their first Grand Slam Final this year?” She simply said, “Hopefully, it’s me,” as she looks ahead to the Australian Open starting January 12.

Last year, she impressed with a 38-19 win-loss record and finished 2024 ranked No. 14 on the WTA list. Not to mention, she made a splash at the 2024 Australian Open, reaching the quarterfinals before losing to Qinwen Zheng in a thrilling three-set match. Despite battling a right forearm injury during Wimbledon, she achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 11 and reached her first WTA 1000 final at the Dubai Tennis Championships.

During her break, Kalinskaya enjoyed quality time with friends and family while staying committed to her training sessions. Recently, she opened up about her journey, reflecting on the challenges she’s faced and her aspirations for the future. Feeling proud and excited about her progress and aims to demonstrate her hard-earned skills on the court.

Kalinskaya reveals she’s proud of her progress heading into the 2025 season

In a video shared by WTARussians on December 28, Anna Kalinskaya expressed her excitement about her progress in tennis. “I think last year I played the (qualifying) if I’m not wrong and now being a seeded I don’t have to play the first round makes me super happy and super proud of myself,” she said. Adding that she is eager to continue improving and play as many matches as possible, stating, “I’m happy where I am now.”

As she gears up to take on the 2025 season, Kalinskaya is laser-focused on her goals. And what are they going ahead? To stay healthy and maintain her physical well-being, which she believes is crucial for future success. “If I can stay healthy, good things will follow,” she shared in an exclusive interview with Harper Bazaar last month, emphasizing her confidence in closing the gap with top players like Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka.

Kalinskaya has a clear strategy for achieving her ambitions: simplifying her lifestyle while enjoying her off days for a better balance. “I think [the key is to] change some things in my life — not training, but adjust a little bit my lifestyle,” she explained. With this approach, she aims to recharge mentally and physically, allowing her to compete at her best. As she embarks on this new season, do you think she can transform her aspirations into reality and climb among the elite in women’s tennis? Only time will tell!