In May 2023, Amanda Anisimova announced a break from professional tennis due to persistent mental health struggles that began in the summer of 2022. At the time, the American tennis player, now ranked World No. 7 in the WTA standings, could not have predicted that this mental health hiatus would eventually play a key role in her reaching a Wimbledon final years later.
Anisimova’s decision followed a difficult start to the 2023 season, coming shortly after her first-round exit at the Madrid Open in April. Prior to her mental health challenges, the young athlete had made a significant impact on the WTA Tour, reaching the Round of 16 at the 2019 Australian Open despite limited experience at Grand Slam events. A few months after, she became the youngest semifinalist at the French Open in over a decade, showing immense promise as a rising star.
Stepping Away from the Court to Focus on Wellness
In early 2023, as expectations mounted, Anisimova experienced a series of setbacks including a second-round loss at Indian Wells, a first-round retirement in Miami, and an early exit in Madrid. These struggles prompted her to prioritize her mental health. On May 5, 2023, she took to Instagram to explain her situation:
At this point my priority is my mental well-being and taking a break for some time. I’ve worked as hard as I could to push through it. I will miss being out there, and I appreciate all the continuous support.
—Amanda Anisimova
During this break, she stepped away from the pressures of the WTA Tour and focused on restoring balance to her life. She found comfort in activities outside tennis, such as a road trip through the Great Smoky Mountains, spending quality time with family, and enrolling in college courses. Additionally, Anisimova discovered a passion for art, which she described as a way to reset her mind and channel creativity. Speaking about these activities in a recent interview, she explained:
I picked that hobby up when I was struggling with my mental health,
Anisimova says.
It was definitely something that I really enjoyed off the court, for a few hours to reset my mind and put something creative into the world. I was really enjoying that and doing the charity stuff when I was taking a break from tennis.
It was special to me and it felt like I was doing something other than tennis. It was nice to have a few interests outside of tennis.
—Amanda Anisimova
Returning to the Tour and Rising to New Heights
After an eight-month absence, Amanda Anisimova returned to competitive tennis in January 2024, starting at the Auckland Open. Over the following months, she showed significant improvement, reaching her first WTA 1000 final in Toronto. This marked a turning point in her career, but her greatest achievement was still ahead.
This season, Anisimova won her first WTA 1000 title in Qatar and broke into the top 15 players globally. At the French Open, she advanced to the Round of 16, defeating notable opponents including Nina Stojanović, Viktorija Golubic, and Clara Tauson before being stopped by Aryna Sabalenka. Demonstrating resilience and growth, she avenged this loss by defeating Sabalenka in the Wimbledon semifinals, earning a spot in her first Grand Slam final.
Following this milestone, Anisimova expressed her disbelief and pride during an on-court interview at Wimbledon:
To be honest, if you told me I would be in the final at Wimbledon, I would not believe you. At least not this soon because it’s been a year turnaround since coming back and to be in this spot it’s not easy and so many people dream of competing on this incredible court, It’s been such a privilege to compete here and to be in the final is just indescribable.
—Amanda Anisimova
What Amanda Anisimova’s Story Means for Tennis and Mental Health Awareness
Amanda Anisimova’s journey highlights the importance of mental health in the demanding world of professional sports. Her decision to step away when she needed time to heal and rediscover herself underscores a growing recognition among athletes about the value of mental well-being. Her success on the court after returning demonstrates that prioritizing mental health can lead to renewed strength and achievement.
This chapter in Anisimova’s career suggests that addressing mental health openly not only benefits athletes personally, but also allows them to reach new heights professionally. As tennis continues to evolve, her story may inspire others to seek balance and resilience amid the intense pressures of competition. Fans and commentators alike will now watch closely to see if Anisimova can capitalize on her momentum and claim her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Amanda Anisimova take a break?
A. Since the summer of 2022, I’ve been having a tough time with my mental health and burnout, Anisimova shared online on May 5, 2023. Being at tennis events has become too much for me to handle. Right now, focusing on my mental health and taking a break is most important to me.