Ukraine’s tennis star Anhelina Kalinina aims to win Wimbledon and use the prize money to rebuild their family home in Ukraine. In Monday’s game, Anhelina Kalinina, registered a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 win over Anna Bondar guaranteeing her a spot in round two and a step closer to her dream.
Sharing details about her family, Kalinina said her parents are now staying at her apartment. “Their house was attacked. There are huge holes in the house. There are no apartments anymore,” said Kalinina. “So now this home is getting rebuilt, so they can’t live there. They live in my apartment where I’m living with my husband.”
For me, it matters if I win or if I lose: Anhelina Kalinina
“It’s hard to focus, but for me, it matters if I win or if I lose,” she said. “I’m not only helping my family, I’m helping other families and other people. It’s a privilege to play here. It’s a privilege to play in every tournament. [If] you go further, you earn more money. Then I’m able to help, and I’m helping as much as I can and not only to my family. So for me that matters,” she added.
Anhelina Kalinina further said, “It’s a very small apartment for my family, because, like, my mum, my dad, my brother, and they have pets. Currently, they are rebuilding the house. Now they are at home safe. They have everything. Yes, I’m grateful that they have opportunities to live, and I am playing tennis. So that’s good.”
For the next round, Anhelina Kalinina will face compatriot Lesia Tsurenko. In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Wimbledon has prohibited athletes from Russia and Belarus. The ATP and WTA, however, have taken away ranking points from the grass-court Grand Slam. The tennis tournament that started on June 27 will end on July 10.