"What can I say? I mean, they’re not humans": Kalinina opens up as home in Ukraine invaded, occupied and flooded by Russian Army
WTA
Competing in Nottingham this week, Anhelina Kalinina lost out to begin her pre-Wimbledon grass court swing after her breakout clay court season.
In Nottingham that day was the tragedy of three people losing their lives, but in Ukraine it has become part of the last year and one that Kalinina knows too well.
Speaking to James Gray for i News at the tournament in a long format interview, Kalinina was asked about growing up in Nova Kakhovka which in February was invaded by Russian forces, occupied and flooded.
She goes back to old memories before describing the atrocities that her family have to go through.
“I remember the summers especially in childhood. This is really tough to say… but I was everyday waking up at 6am, going with my granny to the tennis courts, practise one session then I go back, then another session, then some fitness games or whatever with everyone because there were so many kids there," said Kalinina to James Gray for i News.
“So I was growing in a very competitive [environment] because we have like hundreds of players there my age and older so it was…”
“It’s amazing memories,” she added.
“I cannot forget that but, what happened now… I have no words for this because first they took the territory, they occupied the territory and now they bombed, and because of this explosion, all the water just covered the whole city. So what can I say? I mean, they’re not humans.”
Being away from home, Kalinina has to endure it through phone calls to her family who live in constant fear.
“When I talk with my family, sometimes I hear what’s going on, and every time they just go to the window and they say ‘Oh, rocket is going’,” says Kalinina, bobbing her head side to side to mimic the matter-of-fact way they talk about missiles.
“Kids are going outside, cars are driving and you couldn’t really believe it until you saw this. [Looking] out of your window comes rocket, bomb, and then another and they’re living in this reality. It’s a usual thing already for the people there.
“And it’s just crazy because they’re going with my dog – my family they have like two dogs so they always go for a walk – and then ‘Oh look, bomb, rocket, this, that’.”
But one aspect of this war has been the help received by Ukrainian players including Kalinina who will be based in the UK all Summer after help from the LTA.
She is allowed accommodation, court time at Wimbledon and Surbiton and given the best preparation when she can't go home like many others.
Ending the interview, she admits what else is she meant to do than fight as she looks to use her tennis to fight the battle.
“They were ready, they were waiting for us, we can practise, we can get prepared, everything for free,” Kalinina adds.
“Courts, balls, accommodation, so it’s just crazy how much they support us, how much they did and are doing for us. I just have so much appreciation for this and it’s just amazing, thanks.”
“It’s our battle on the court. People are fighting there [in Ukraine]. We’re fighting on our place,” she explains. “Ukrainians are very united and very strong.”
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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