The Helsinki Open will be played in Tali this week.
Anastasia Kulikova is looking to get her WTA ranking up again. FINLAND TENNIS ASSOCIATION
Anastasia Kulikova is Finland’s number one star at the Helsinki Open in Tali this week.
– I don’t practice in Tali anymore these days, but it’s great to return home and get to play in front of friends, he said.
– I’m really excited.
Helsinki Open is a professional tournament under the International Tennis Federation. The prize value is $25,000.
– I force myself not to expect anything from myself, because the last few days have been difficult due to injuries, Kulikova says.
– I just try to enjoy every match and time on the field.
Kulikova played four tournaments in Asia in January. He has spent the last few weeks in Serbia learning from his new coach.
– We started (cooperation) at the beginning of the year. We have now had a few weeks to practice and get to know each other.
“Everything is possible”
Kulikova moved from Russia to Finland at the age of 13 with her grandparents. He received Finnish citizenship in 2019.
Kulikova learned tennis skills Jarkko Nieminen at the tennis academy.
– To be honest, I don’t remember if Jarkko invited me or not Federico (Ricci), but I came and loved both the place and the people.
Nieminen personally served Kulikova with passing tips. Both of them are bastards.
– I remember how he helped me a lot with the passing technique.
Also Emma Laineanother Finnish ex-top player, has been the driving force behind Kulikova’s rise both in the role of doubles partner and coach.
At her best, Laine was 50th in the WTA ranking. Kulikova’s best quote is number 179, from summer 2022.
Currently, the ranking is 348.
– If I stay healthy and everything goes well, I will try to get into the top 120 this year, he paints.
– I’m trying to get back on track.
Is beating Laine’s ranking record for Finnish women possible for you?
– Yes Yes. Everything is possible. Above all, I need stability and health.
Anastasia Kulikova played in the French Open qualifiers in spring 2022. PDO
Good luck in Finland
The player registered in Tali by name is from France Kristina Mladenovic, a six-time doubles Grand Slam winner. She has been at the top of the WTA doubles ranking for a total of 12 weeks in 2019–21.
Slovakia is ranked number one in the tally Victoria Hruncakova, a former top50 player. She is currently ranked 175th in the WTA singles rankings.
Kulikova, 24, along with Finn Talis are playing Laura Hietaranta as well as those who got in with a wild card Aino Alkio, Ella Haavisto and Stella Remander. The qualifying rounds played on Monday and Tuesday may still increase the number of Finnish participants in the main series.
Would Kulikova be up for grabs on Sunday, the closing day of the Helsinki Open? In 2019, he won the ITF professional tournament in both Savitaipale and Tampere in Finland.
– It’s incredible how much motivation playing at home gives, Kulikova says.
– I try my best. I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself, but we’ll see what happens.
The Helsinki Open tennis tournament can be seen in Iltalehti’s Plus service. Kulikova’s first round match is scheduled for Wednesday evening.