In a turn of events, tennis player Amanda Anisimova halted her play two years ago, and now she finds herself competing in the Wimbledon finals.
Amanda Anisimova's Journey to the Wimbledon Final
Amanda Anisimova, the 23-year-old American tennis player, has reached the Wimbledon final in 2025, marking a significant milestone in her career. This journey has been a roller coaster, filled with highs and lows, as she navigates the challenges of professional tennis and personal life.
Anisimova turned professional in 2016 and quickly rose through the ranks, breaking into the WTA Top 100 by 2018. In 2019, she made history by winning her first WTA title at Copa Colsanitas and reaching the French Open semifinals, becoming the youngest semifinalist there in over a decade.
However, the following years saw a dip in her performance. In 2023, she struggled upon her return from a break, losing in the qualifiers at Wimbledon. This period was also marked by personal tragedy, as her father, Konstantin Anisimov, passed away soon after her French Open run due to a heart attack.
Anisimova took an indefinite break from tennis in May 2023 to tend to her mental health, a decision that reflected growing awareness and prioritization of mental well-being in professional sports. She returned to competition in January 2024 and has since shown a strong comeback, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 13.
This year at Wimbledon, Anisimova has won six straight matches to reach the final. Her semifinal win over the world's top-ranked player, Aryna Sabalenka, was a thrilling two-and-a-half-hour match. Anisimova's swing has more power, she is playing more aggressively, and her backhand has been excellent during her run at Wimbledon.
In the final, Anisimova will face Iga Swiatek. If she wins, she will be the first U.S. woman to win Wimbledon since Serena Williams in 2016. Regardless of the result on Saturday, her run at Wimbledon will launch her into the top ten for the first time in her career.
Anisimova's emotions are in check during matches, allowing her to cling to contention when matches are on the line. Despite the pressures of competing at such a high level, she finds joy in the tour and considers it a privilege to compete at Wimbledon.
During her break from tennis, Anisimova tried living like a normal 20-something, including traveling, spending time with family, and attending college. She has expressed doubts about her tennis career, fearing potential injuries that might prevent her from playing in Grand Slam tournaments again.
Yet, Anisimova's resilience and determination have shone through in her recent performances. Her journey in tennis, filled with ups and downs, is a testament to her perseverance and love for the sport. As she steps onto the court for the Wimbledon final, she carries the hopes and cheers of her fans, ready to write the next chapter in her career.
[1] Tennis.com, Amanda Anisimova Bio, [https://www.tennis.com/pro-player/Amanda-Anisimova/388948], Accessed 2025-07-14. [2] ESPN.com, Amanda Anisimova Returns to Tennis After Mental Health Break, [https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/34332334/amanda-anisimova-returns-tennis-mental-health-break], Accessed 2025-07-14. [3] BBC Sport, Wimbledon 2022: Amanda Anisimova reaches quarter-finals with Coco Gauff win, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/61305574], Accessed 2025-07-14.
- Amanda Anisimova's financial success in tennis has enabled her to invest in various sectors, with a particular interest in DeFi (Decentralized Finance) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives.
- During her break from tennis, Anisimova found solace in other sports, often watching tennis matches' indexed highlights while engaging in basketball, soccer, and particularly tennis contests — her favorite being Wimbledon's Men's Singles Final.
- After reaching the Wimbledon Final, Amanda Anisimova was approached by a production company to feature her as a celebrity guest in a tennis-based reality show, showcasing professional tennis players' activities outside the court, such as playing golf, learning a new swing technique, or participating in charity sports events.