It is part of her story, right along with that powerhouse of a backhand.
Over two years ago, Amanda Anisimova took a mental health break from tennis. She was away from the sport for eight months, from May 2023 until January 2024, focusing on herself.
As she has skyrocketed in the rankings with her amazing play, all the way to No. 7 in the world, the questions keep coming about that time away from the court.
After the No. 8 seed Anisimova’s straight-set 6-3, 6-2 victory over Kimberly Birrell at Louis Armstrong Stadium on Tuesday, one of the questions in her on-court interview was about that time off.
She didn’t hesitate to answer.
“I like to talk about it, and for sure, it is special,” said Anisimova, who is coming off a stunning run to the Wimbledon final. “If I can touch anyone’s life in that sense and if anyone can relate to me in that way, then that makes me very happy.
“It is a very frequent topic, for sure. I mean, I’m honored to be able to talk about it, and I try to be as honest as I can. If someone asks me any questions, I always try my best to answer them as well as I can.”
Anisimova was a teenage phenom, reaching the 2019 French Open semifinals at the age of 17. She became the youngest American woman to advance to a Grand Slam semifinal since Venus Williams at the 1997 U.S. Open.
In August of that year, she lost her beloved father and coach, Konstantin Anisimova, to a heart attack. The next few years, her play faltered and her well-being suffered.
A break was necessary. Anisimova got professional help — she still sees a trauma-specialized therapist who helps her with anxiety — and the 23-year-old American believes it is a major part of her breakthrough season.
“Obviously, it served me [well], and I’m really happy with the choice that I made,” she said. “It’s clearly paying off now, and I feel like I have a whole new perspective when I step onto the court. Even on regular days or training days, I think I appreciate the process a lot more than I used to.”
A great example of that was how she handled her loss to Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon final, the rare double bagel.
Anisimova was emotional afterward, thanking while also apologizing to the Wimbledon fans, shedding tears as she praised her mother, Olga, complimenting her opponent and expressing hope to get back to that stage one day.
“When I left the locker room, I was just happy with the way I was able to carry myself because that was the only thing in my control,” she said.
Anisimova is hoping to build off of Wimbledon at the U.S. Open. She has never advanced past the third round, which she reached in 2020, but she seems more equipped to reach the second week than before. Her high ranking and her strong Wimbledon don’t create added pressure, Anisimova insisted.
She instead sees it as positive momentum.
“I would say it’s more exciting. I’m excited to be here. I feel good. I have confidence, and I love playing here,” she said. “So if anything, I just embrace where I am and where my ranking is at when I step onto the court and just try and use it to my advantage.
“I mean, I’m feeling good, and I’m excited to be through to the next round. Hopefully, I can keep playing better and better.”