Amanda Anisimova experienced a crushing defeat in the Wimbledon final, losing 0-6, 0-6 to Iga Swiatek on Centre Court. After defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, many expected her to challenge Swiatek, but the match ended in just 57 minutes with one of the most decisive losses in Wimbledon history. This disappointing first appearance in a Grand Slam final has left Anisimova facing a tough decision about how to manage her schedule and recover ahead of upcoming tournaments.
Evaluating the Options for Amanda Anisimova’s Tournament Return
At 23 years old, Anisimova is scheduled to compete as the number three seed at the Washington Open, which starts in just over a week. The field in Washington also includes top players like Jessica Pegula, Qinwen Zheng, Paula Badosa, Emma Navarro, and Elena Rybakina. Despite this opportunity, there is significant debate over whether Anisimova should withdraw to rest and recuperate after such a heavy loss on a big stage.
Taking a break might allow her to decompress away from the practice courts, regaining her confidence before future events. On the other hand, some argue that pushing forward with a quick return could help her move on from the defeat more swiftly. A strong showing in Washington could shift attention away from the Wimbledon loss and rebuild momentum for the rest of the season. Ultimately, this is a critical choice that Anisimova and her team must carefully weigh, as it could influence her career trajectory beyond 2025.
Amanda Anisimova’s Past Performances in Pre-US Open Tournaments
Between Wimbledon and the US Open, several hard-court events provide players an opportunity to prepare, including the Washington Open, the Canadian Open, and the Cincinnati Open. Anisimova has typically selected these tournaments to gear up for the final Grand Slam of the year, with mixed results over time.
Amanda Anisimova’s Competitive History at the Washington Open
The 2024 Washington Open marked Anisimova’s debut at this event, where she qualified for the main draw and advanced to the quarterfinals. Her journey included victories over Emina Bektas in the first qualifying round (7-6, 6-3), Renata Zarazua in the second qualifying round (6-4, 6-4), and then main draw wins against Sloane Stephens (6-3, 7-5) and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (6-1, 6-7, 6-4). Her run ended in the quarterfinals where she lost to Caroline Dolehide in straight sets.
Performance Overview at the Canadian Open
Anisimova has competed three times at the Canadian Open (2021, 2022, and 2024), marking her strongest results at this tournament. While she had modest early exits in 2021 and 2022, her 2024 campaign was remarkable. She defeated four seeded players, including world number one Aryna Sabalenka, en route to her first WTA 1000 final. Despite this breakthrough, she was defeated by Jessica Pegula in the final match. This performance highlights the Canadian Open as a favorable event for Anisimova’s success.
Record and Challenges at the Cincinnati Open
Anisimova’s history at the Cincinnati Open has been less stellar compared to other tournaments. She has not progressed beyond the third round in her appearances, including a third-round loss to Elina Svitolina in 2018, a second-round defeat to Jessica Pegula in 2020, and a withdrawal before her second-round match in 2022. This pattern suggests Cincinnati may not be her ideal choice among the upcoming events.
Deciding the Best Path Forward for Anisimova Post-Wimbledon
Considering Anisimova’s stronger performances at the Canadian Open and Washington Open compared to Cincinnati, it may be strategic for her to skip Washington and return at the event in Montreal, where she has already demonstrated the ability to contend deeply. Selecting the right tournament to resume play is a pivotal decision that will affect her physical and mental readiness as she prepares for the US Open and beyond. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how Anisimova handles this moment and which path she chooses as she seeks to recover from her Wimbledon setback.