'You Go Further, You Earn More Money': Kalinina On 'Huge' Motivation To Help Ukraine
WTA
All tennis players deal with the pressure of trying to win for themselves and those closest to them. However, Ukrainian players like Anhelina Kalinina play for a broader cause every time they step on the court.
Kalinina has enjoyed an excellent season of progress so far. An example of this was her run to the round of 16 at the Miami Open in March, including a victory in the second round against Madison Keys.
The Ukrainian had an even better result at the Madrid Open in March. She defeated Grand Slam champions Sloane Stephens, Garbine Muguruza, and Emma Raducanu before losing to Jil Teichmann.
Most players would be entirely focused on improving and using the money from those achievements to invest in their careers, further enhancing their development.
For Ukrainian players like Kalinina, the money serves a much more personal purpose. Her country has been at war since February, when Russia launched an illegal invasion of Ukraine's sovereign territory.
Fellow Ukrainian WTA star Elina Svitolina shared her stresses and anxieties about the situation multiple times. Kalinina has now done the same, admitting it is hard to focus, and she faces the pressure of the money she makes helping so many people in Ukraine.
"It's hard to focus, but it matters if I win or if I lose. The more I win, I'm not only helping my family, I'm helping other families and other people. 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."- Anhelina Kalinina
Kalinina admitted helping her country in any way she can during such a challenging moment in its history is a massive motivation for her. She also said she is not a superstar, although those suffering in Ukraine probably feel Kalinina is every time she financially supports them.
"I'm not a superstar so I'm helping with what I can. And it's a lot to them, and for me that's huge motivation to play. Huge."
