Anna Kalinskaya explains why she couldn’t prepare for ‘very tricky’ Leylah Fernandez trait before Washington Open final

Anna Kalinskaya has opened up about the unique challenge she faced in the final of the Washington Open against Leylah Fernandez, revealing why she couldn’t fully prepare for one of the Canadian’s most difficult traits.

The Russian tennis star admitted after the match that Fernandez brought something very tricky to the court—her dominant left-handed play. Kalinskaya explained that she hadn’t faced a left-handed opponent in a long time, and that made it hard for her to adjust during such a high-stakes match.

“It’s really different when you play someone left-handed,” she said. “The angles, the spins, the rhythm—it all feels unusual when you haven’t faced it in a while. And going into a final like this, that makes it even harder.”

Fernandez is known for her ability to twist rallies in her favor with tricky angles, especially on the backhand side. It’s a style that catches many players off guard, especially those who haven’t had recent practice against similar opponents. Kalinskaya admitted she did her best to adapt but simply ran out of time on court.

Despite the challenge, Kalinskaya showed a lot of respect for Fernandez and remained upbeat about her own performance throughout the tournament. “It was a great week for me,” she said. “I played a lot of good tennis, and I’m proud of what I achieved here. Leylah just played better in the key moments.”

Tennis fans have praised both players for their fighting spirit and clean performances. It was a tight match that could have gone either way, but Fernandez’s ability to throw off her opponents with her left-handed game was clearly a big factor.

This kind of honest post-match reflection from Kalinskaya gives fans a deeper understanding of the game. Sometimes, it’s not just about power or speed—it’s the little details, like the spin of a left-handed serve or the awkward angle of a return, that can make the biggest difference.

Kalinskaya may not have lifted the trophy, but she certainly left Washington with her head held high. And who knows? Next time she faces a lefty, she might just be ready to turn the tables.