Source: The Guardian Sport
Amanda Anisimova: ‘I’m proud of the way I competed and carried myself on the court’.Photograph: Robert Prange/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenAmanda Anisimova: ‘I’m proud of the way I competed and carried myself on the court’.Photograph: Robert Prange/Getty ImagesTennisInterviewFrom burnout to brilliance: Amanda Anisimova on how honesty sparked her remarkable revivalReem AbulleilThe American stepped away from the tour in 2023 to address her mental health. This year has been spectacular as she has reached two grand slam finalsMon 3 Nov 2025 05.00 ESTLast modified on Mon 3 Nov 2025 06.08 ESTShareThere is an air of calm surrounding Amanda Anisimova when she speaks; a palpable sense of her comfort in her own skin.In a sport like tennis that can swing its protagonists from one emotional extreme to another, week in, week out, Anisimova has worked hard to value the highs, the lows, and the moments in between, all while staying true to herself.A former teen prodigy who turned pro at 15 and reached the French Open semi-finals at just 17, Anisimova stepped away from the professional circuit for eight months in 2023, citing burnout and mental health concerns.It was a bold decision, given how athletes are always encouraged to push through their struggles and stick to the grind; a decision that has ultimately paid off in more ways than one.Today she is No 4 in the world and is competing in the WTA Finals for the first time in her career on the back of a banner season that saw her reach the Wimbledon and US Open finals and clinch a pair of WTA 1000 crowns.Looking back at her 2025 campaign, Anisimova says the biggest lesson involved her mental approach.Women’s tennis thriving on the court as season wraps but WTA must catch upRead more“I would say the mindset that I go into tournaments and matches with. I think that’s been the most important thing for me this year,” the 24-year-old American told the Guardian on the sidelines of the WTA Finals in Riyadh.“It helps, obviously, when I’m done with the tournament, being able to look back and tell myself I’ve done everything I can. And I’m proud of the way I competed and carried myself on the court. And that’s definitely something that I’ve tried to do all year round.”There is a lot to admire when it comes to Anisimova, whether it’s her powerful brand of first-strike tennis, her devastating backhand, or her openness when discussing her vulnerability. But the moment that truly epitomised her strength of character came whenshe lost the Wimbledon final 6-0, 6-0to Iga Swiatek in July.Tennis hands the microphone to its athletes moments after a gut-wrenching defeat and expects them to give a wholesome speech. Fighting tears, Anisimova addressed the Wimbledon Centre Court crowd with heartfelt words towards Swiatek, the fans, and her mother Olga, who flew in that morning to watch her daughter compete in her first grand slam final.That speech resonated with countless people watching, including many of her peers.“I thought s…
Published: 2025-11-03T10:00:30
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