Russian tennis player Anna Kalinskaya recently discussed her disappointing experience with Adidas and why she ultimately decided to no longer wear the brand, ‘on principle’.
The 27-year-old was sponsored by Adidas until her deal officially expired in early 2024. Initially, she continued to wear Adidas gear on the court simply out of habit and personal preference, even without an active contract.
Speaking on Elena Vesnina’s tennis podcastKalinskaya explained a moment that changed her perspective. Ahead of her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the 2024 Australian Open against Zheng Qinwen, an Adidas official asked her for tickets to the match. Kalinskaya initially assumed the request meant Adidas planned to offer her a new deal. However, not only was there no question of continuing the collaboration, but the company never made contact again.
“When I was told after Australia that they had not offered me a new contract, I said, ‘Okay, what can you do? I don’t want to wear Adidas.’ Yes, it was a matter of principle. Especially after the person asked me to come to the box for the quarter-final – before that they didn’t care how I played. And then they didn’t contact us anymore, didn’t say anything after the game. I was probably disappointed in the company.”
After the awkward situation, Kalinskaya was spotted in Alo Yoga gear. She signed on that same year Nike and has represented the brand ever since. The first time she wore Nike gear in a tournament was during the 2024 China Open in Beijing. (via Tennis World USA)
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