Emotions were running high at the US Open this weekend, and few players felt the sting of disappointment more than Anna Kalinskaya.
The Russian star, who has been making just as many headlines for her fiery reactions as for her tennis, broke down in tears after her third-round clash with world No. 2 Iga Swiatek.
From Dream Start to Crushing Defeat
Kalinskaya looked like she might pull off something special on Saturday night.
She came out swinging, racing into a 5-1 lead in the opening set against Swiatek.
But the turning point came when she let four set points slip away.
Swiatek, known for her resilience, clawed her way back to take the first set 7-6 before sealing the second 6-4. For Kalinskaya, it was a devastating reversal of fortune.
Emotions Spill Over Behind the Scenes
After leaving the court, the 26-year-old couldn’t hold back her emotions.
Cameras spotted her crying in a corridor as she made her way to the locker room, clearly feeling the weight of the moment.
For a player chasing consistency at the top level, it was a heartbreaking scene that resonated with fans.
A Week Already Filled With Controversy
This wasn’t the first time Kalinskaya’s emotions had boiled over during the tournament.
Just a day earlier, she and her doubles partner, Sorana Cirstea, had blown a 5-1 lead against Americans McCartney Kessler and Peyton Stearns, eventually losing 7-5, 6-4.
To make matters worse, Stearns later reposted an Instagram post that mocked Kalinskaya’s costly error on match point.
Heated Words at the Net
The tension between the players didn’t stay online.
After the doubles match, Kalinskaya confronted Stearns at the net, accusing her and Kessler of poor sportsmanship.
According to Russian outlet Championat, she told them:
“I expected a little respect. I haven’t seen you apologize even once,” referring to points where the Americans’ shots clipped the net and bounced over.
Fans watching the game also noticed the frosty exchange, though many American supporters naturally defended their players.
The Social Media Stir
The controversy didn’t stop there. Former Ohio State player Danielle Wolf added fuel to the fire by posting “Big dub” with a string of American flags, while mocking Kalinskaya’s final forehand shank.
Stearns reposted the message but later tried to cover the jab with three flag emojis of her own.
Still, the damage was done—the drama had spilled into the public eye.
Another Chance, Another Setback
For Kalinskaya, her singles showdown with Swiatek was supposed to be a chance to reset and silence the critics.
Instead, it turned into another painful chapter. Ranked 29th in the world, she had to face not just one of the game’s toughest opponents, but also the lingering noise from her doubles controversy.
A Tournament Full of Drama
The US Open has always been as much about emotion and storylines as it is about skill.
Kalinskaya’s rollercoaster week is proof of that—highlighting the highs and lows of a sport where momentum can shift in seconds, and reputations can be shaped just as much by off-court clashes as by results on the scoreboard.
