Cultural Differences: Holger Rune Explains Why He Texted Anna Kalinskaya “10 Times”

When Holger Rune speaks, people lean in—partly because of his fearless tennis, and partly because of his equally fearless personality off the court. And now, the 21-year-old Dane has found himself in the spotlight for something that has nothing to do with forehands or backhands: his texting habits with girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya. Yes, Rune openly admitted he once texted her “10 times” in a row, and his explanation? Cultural differences.

The confession came with a cheeky grin, but Rune insists there’s truth behind it. According to him, growing up in Denmark, texting multiple times without waiting for a reply isn’t considered clingy—it’s just normal communication. “In my culture, it’s not weird,” he explained, noting that what might seem like over-enthusiasm elsewhere is simply his way of staying connected.

Kalinskaya, of course, comes from a different background. The Russian star is known for her cool composure on court and, apparently, in her text replies. Rune joked that while he bombards her phone with messages, she often responds with short, measured replies. It’s a contrast that, instead of causing friction, seems to amuse them both—and, of course, the tennis world watching from the sidelines.

Fans quickly pounced on the revelation, turning Rune’s “10 texts” into a meme-worthy moment. Social media lit up with jokes about “clingy boyfriends,” while others praised Rune for his honesty. In an era where athletes often play it safe with their words, Rune once again showed he’s refreshingly unfiltered.

But beneath the humor lies something more revealing. Rune and Kalinskaya’s relationship has already sparked plenty of attention, with their on-court success and off-court chemistry making them one of tennis’s most talked-about young couples. Rune’s candid explanation highlights how two people from different cultures—and communication styles—can find a rhythm that works for them.

So, is Rune really overdoing it with those 10 texts? Maybe. But in his words, it’s not about being needy, it’s about being authentic. And if Kalinskaya can ace serves on tour, she can probably handle a few extra pings from her boyfriend’s phone.

One thing’s clear: Rune doesn’t just hit hard on the court—he goes all in when it comes to love, too.