Anna Kalinskaya’s rise on the WTA Tour has been marked by steady progress, quiet determination-and now, a very public parting of ways with one of tennis’s most iconic apparel brands.
The 27-year-old Russian opened up recently about why she stopped wearing Adidas, the company that had sponsored her until the start of 2024. And while gear changes happen all the time in pro tennis, this one came with a little more edge. For Kalinskaya, it wasn’t just about comfort or contracts-it was about principle.
After her Adidas deal expired, Kalinskaya continued wearing the brand’s gear on court, more out of routine than anything else. There was no new agreement in place, but she was comfortable in the clothes and kept things moving. That changed during her breakout run at the 2024 Australian Open.
In the lead-up to her first Grand Slam quarterfinal-against Zheng Qinwen in Melbourne-an Adidas representative reached out. But instead of talking about a new contract or showing support for her deep tournament run, the official simply asked for tickets to the match.
Kalinskaya admitted she initially thought the request might signal a renewed interest from Adidas in working with her. But that conversation never came.
In fact, she says the company didn’t follow up at all after the match-no message, no acknowledgment, no offer. That silence spoke volumes.
“When I was told after Australia that they hadn’t offered me a new contract, I said, ‘Alright, what can you do? I don’t want to wear Adidas,’” she said on Elena Vesnina’s tennis podcast.
“Yes, it was a matter of principle. Especially after the person asked me to come to the box for the quarterfinal - before that, they didn’t care how I was playing.
And after that, they didn’t get in touch, said nothing after the match. I was probably disappointed in the company.”
It was a turning point. Kalinskaya stopped wearing Adidas altogether, and soon after, fans noticed her in Alo Yoga apparel during tournaments.
But the real shift came when she officially signed with Nike later that year. She debuted the Swoosh at the 2024 China Open in Beijing and has been repping the brand ever since.
For Kalinskaya, the move was more than just a wardrobe change. It was a signal that she’s not just climbing the rankings-she’s also setting her own terms.