Ukrainian tennis player from LOVE 4 TENNIS Academy Danylo Kalenichenko (19) is ranked 1099th in the ATP rankings. He wants to move up about 600 positions and to continue reaching his great results in doubles with Adrian Partl, another player from L4T.
Recently, you have succeeded in doubles. You have won one title, you have been in finals and two semifinals. Can you name the reasons for this?
„Before the victory I have fought with Adrian Partl, I have had a very bad statistics in doubles: 0-9. But then, I have won the title with him and it was very pleasant. Then I was more relaxed on the court and from the first match with Adrian I have begun to think more about doubles. I have understood the strategy for achieving the necessary performance.
The cooperation with Adrian was random?
„It was a complete coincidence. I was with him before the training session and I asked him if we were going to try doubles together. He said, of course, let’s play. It was a bit surprise for me, because Adrian was much better player in doubles than me. I have learned a lot from him, this experience has helped me a lot. I hope we are going to continue our successful cooperation.
What was the main reason you were so successful together?
“It’s possible, that we fit together, our personal features as well as our style of play are quite compatible.  For me, it was important to find a kind of player who would not put an extreme pressure on me and who would help me to improve my game. That’s what happened.”
You are ranked 1099th in the ATP rankings in singles. You probably want to reach similarly good results in doubles. What are your plans for the next season?
“My goal for the next year is to be around the 500th position in the ATP rankings. I do not have the same plans for doubles, but after the recent successes I can see that doubles are definitely worth playing. I want to be better also in that.“
What are your strengths now?
“ Serve, volley and backhand.  These are three best parts of my tennis game.“
Will you celebrate the Orthodox Christmas, since you are from Ukraine?
„I have missed our two last Christmas at home. I was there during New Year’s Eve only. I am thinking that I‘m going to Kiev after the Catholic Christmas for at least one week. Then after New Year’s Eve I want to come back to Bratislava because I would like to prepare myself for the tournaments in January.“
Where do you live in Bratislava?
„I live in a rented accommodation just 15 minutes by walk to Academy L4T. It’s an advantage for me. My roommate is a young coach, sparring, from L4T, too.“
How are you going to spend the Catholic Christmas in Slovakia?
„We will see, I know a lot of people in Bratislava already. I have many friends here, maybe somebody will ask me to join him. And there is a possibility that my parents will visit Bratislava.“
Do you like Bratislava?
„I am a kind person who is able to adapt to anything, any situation. I am not nervous about the new environment. Bratislava is calmer city than Kiev, there are no extremes here, I like it here.“