Amanda Anisimova, the American tennis star, has reached her first Wimbledon semifinal in six years, and she’s loving every moment of it.
What Happened at Wimbledon?
Anisimova secured a 6-1, 7-6(9) win against Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the quarterfinals on July 11, marking her second-ever grand slam semifinal appearance. The first one came in 2019 at the French Open when she was just 17 years old.
After the match, Anisimova dropped to her knees, then fell onto the grass, before getting up with a smile and giving herself a hug in celebration.
“It’s been an extraordinary year for me,” Anisimova said after the match. “So many highs. It’s just been such a ride, and I’ve been enjoying every step of the way.”
Next Up: Aryna Sabalenka
Anisimova’s next opponent is Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and a three-time grand slam champion. Anisimova leads their head-to-head matchups 5-3, but Sabalenka won their most recent encounter in the 2024 French Open.
“We always bring the best out of each other when we play,” Anisimova said, excited about the challenge Sabalenka presents.
A Break That Changed Everything
This run to the semifinals is special for Anisimova, especially after taking a mental health break in 2023. She announced on Instagram that she had been struggling with burnout and needed a break for her well-being. She stepped away from tennis for several months, returning to the WTA Tour in January 2024.
At the start of 2024, Anisimova’s ranking was as low as No. 442, and she wasn’t even in the Wimbledon main draw last year. Now, she is ranked No. 12, a career-high, and will break into the top 10 after Wimbledon.
“I needed to reset both mentally and physically,” she said. “It wasn’t easy, but since last summer, everything has been trending upwards for me.”
The Road to Success
Anisimova’s break from tennis allowed her to focus on her mental health, and it paid off. She took up art as a hobby, which helped her relax during the tough times.
“I started doing art when I was struggling,” Anisimova said. “It was a way to get my mind off things, and it’s been a great escape for me.”
A Special Celebration
After her quarterfinal victory, Anisimova celebrated with her family, including her nephew Jaxon, who was visiting from the U.S. to celebrate his 4th birthday. “It’s super special that they flew in to be with me,” Anisimova said, walking hand-in-hand with Jaxon after the match.
