Amanda Anisimova reached the finals of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships after a thrilling semifinal victory over Aryna Sabalenka, winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. This remarkable achievement highlights her continued ascent in the tennis world, where her journey has been fueled not only by talent but also by the steadfast encouragement of her family, particularly her sister Maria.
Following a solid quarterfinal run in Berlin and successive wins against Linda Noskova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Anisimova demonstrated resilience and skill at Wimbledon. Despite ranking outside the top 350 as recently as 2023, she is now firmly positioned among the world’s top 15 players, underscored by triumphs at the Qatar Open and a finalist finish at Queen’s Club earlier this year.
The Influential Role of Maria Egge, Amanda’s Sister and Early Mentor
Amanda’s older sister, Maria Egge, has been a pivotal figure throughout her career, combining a close personal relationship with valuable guidance. Maria, once an accomplished tennis player herself, competed at the collegiate level for the University of Pennsylvania, reaching the NCAA Championships in women’s doubles before stepping away from competitive tennis due to injury.
Though Maria did not pursue professional tennis, her impact on Amanda’s development has been significant. The sisters share a strong bond, and Maria’s presence at this year’s Wimbledon Championships was a visible reminder of the support system behind Amanda’s success. After Amanda’s semifinal triumph, she publicly acknowledged her family’s importance in her journey.
“I have my beautiful family over there,” Amanda Anisimova said. “My sister, my nephew, my brother-in-law, and his whole beautiful family is over there. I think my best friend is supposed to be somewhere but I don’t see you. You better be there, I can’t see you. Oh you are right there, ok ok good.”
—Amanda Anisimova, Wimbledon Semifinalist
Maria’s Early Influence and the Family’s Strategic Move to Miami
Maria played a crucial role in shaping Amanda’s early exposure to tennis, convincing their parents to explore training opportunities at the IMG Academy. This decision led the family to relocate to Miami in 2004, setting the foundation for Amanda’s tennis career.
Maria was mindful of balancing Amanda’s athletic development with her social life, understanding the risks of burnout during her high school years. To address this, Amanda’s mother established a tennis camp designed to allow Amanda to engage with peers and maintain a healthy, enjoyable experience within the sport.
“Especially in high school, I wanted to have a social life and didn’t have time for everything, so I often felt burned out and wanted to quit tennis. It’s why my mom created a tennis camp, so Amanda could hang out with kids her own age, so she didn’t miss out on anything. Many of her friends today are friends from that camp,” Maria Egge said.
—Maria Egge, Amanda Anisimova’s Sister, via The New York Times
Maria recalled Amanda’s initial fascination with tennis, noting how she would mimic her every move outside the courts, wielding a toy racket and demonstrating a precocious interest in the game.
“If I was playing a tournament, Amanda would stand outside the fence of the court and mimic what I was doing,” Maria Egge said. “She had a little baby racket, and my parents said, ‘Right, we’ll take a shot at it,” she added.
—Maria Egge, Sister of Amanda Anisimova
The Strength Found in Family During Personal Tragedy
The Anisimova family endured a devastating loss when Amanda’s father and primary coach, Konstantin Anisimov, passed away unexpectedly in August 2019. His death was a profound shock that deeply affected Amanda and her family.
During this difficult time, Maria immediately traveled from New York to support Amanda and their mother, Olga. The sisters have spoken openly about how this challenge tested their strength but also brought them closer together as they navigated grief.
“It came as a big surprise, completely unexpected. After that, there were a lot of ups and downs and definitely some dark, bad times and a lot of things to think about. When you lose someone at such a young age, you think about a lot of things that you regret or things you wish you said or what are the things that they wish they said before they died,” Egge told The New York Times.
—Maria Egge, Amanda Anisimova’s Sister
Despite the sorrow, Amanda emphasized the importance of familial unity in helping her persevere through such adversity.
“It’s obviously very difficult for all of us, but I think because we have each other, it’s made it a lot easier. I think we’re really strong all together,” Amanda Anisimova said.
—Amanda Anisimova, Wimbledon Finalist
Upcoming Showdown: Amanda Anisimova Faces Iga Swiatek in Wimbledon Final
Amanda Anisimova is set to compete against Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon final on Saturday, marking her first encounter against the Polish star in a main tour event. Both players are contending in their initial Grand Slam final at Wimbledon. So far, Swiatek has been dominant, conceding just a single set throughout the tournament.
This match will be a defining moment in Anisimova’s career, highlighting not only her athletic progress but also the vital role her sister Maria’s unwavering support and their family’s resilience have played in helping her reach this stage. With the backing of those closest to her, Amanda faces this challenge hopeful and determined.