Amanda Anisimova's Remarkable Return to Wimbledon Quarter-Finals

Amanda Anisimova's journey in tennis took a significant turn after she reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2022 at just 20 years old, drawing comparisons to fellow American star Coco Gauff. Unfortunately, that milestone did not propel her career forward as hoped; instead, Anisimova struggled with a series of defeats and by May 2023, had not secured back-to-back wins in any of the ten tournaments she participated in during a frustrating nine-month stretch.

Recognizing that the relentless cycle of losses was affecting her mental well-being, Anisimova decided to step away from the sport in May 2023 to recharge. Upon returning to competitive tennis at last year's Australian Open, she faced a ranking shock, sitting at 442, yet she approached the situation positively. Anisimova advanced to the last 16 before facing Aryna Sabalenka, the eventual champion, marking the first time since her 2022 Wimbledon run that she won three matches in sequence.

Despite not qualifying for Wimbledon last year and being ranked 189th, Anisimova noted significant improvements in her mental state compared to the previous summer. Now, a year later and seeded 13th, she stands in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon after a tense match against Czech player Linda Noskova. With this performance, Anisimova is on the verge of entering the top 10 in the world rankings for the first time.

Expressing excitement for her Wimbledon experience, Anisimova emphasized the importance of her newfound confidence and determination. After delivering a flawless performance in her first-round match, she acknowledged how far she has come over the past year. With Coco Gauff eliminated early in the tournament, Anisimova, along with her fellow American Emma Navarro, is now among the last hopes for a U.S. player to win the prestigious Venus Rosewater Dish.

Looking ahead, Anisimova is optimistic about her chances in the semifinals, particularly given her perfect record against her next opponent, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Reflecting on her mental break, she remarked on her enhanced perspective, work ethic, and professionalism in the sport, leading her to a surreal realization of potentially breaking into the top 10 — a scenario that seemed far-fetched just a year ago.