Self-Prioritising Pays Off

After mental health break, Anisimova is one step away from Grand Slam glory

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Amanda Anisimova said she had proved the doubters wrong by reaching her first Wimbledon final, just two years after being warned that taking a mental health break could ruin her career.

The American, seeded 13th, stunned world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win in a bruising semi-final on Centre Court on July 10.

The 23-year-old will face five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek in the title match on July 12.

It was a cathartic triumph for Anisimova, who was a rising star after reaching the French Open semi-finals aged just 17 in 2019. But she struggled to live up to the hype after that breakthrough run at Roland Garros.

Anisimova stepped away from tennis in 2023 after suffering with depression brought on by the scrutiny and expectations that came with being a teen prodigy.

She was then told that her exile could be fatal to her chances of competing at a high level when she eventually returned. When she returned to action in 2024, Anisimova dropped outside the top 400.

But she won the Qatar Open this February and showed she was comfortable on grass by reaching the Queen's Club final in June.