Tennis player Amanda Anisimova's decision to take a break from the sport

Amanda Anisimova Makes a Comeback and Reaches Wimbledon Final

In a remarkable comeback, American tennis star Amanda Anisimova has reached her second Grand Slam final in just three months at Wimbledon. Seeded 13th, Anisimova stunned the tennis world by defeating the current world No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka, to secure her place in the final.

Anisimova's journey to this point has been far from easy. In 2023, she took an eight-month hiatus from tennis, her longest break ever, following the passing of her father, Konstantin, due to a heart attack in August 2019, a week before her 18th birthday. This tragic event was undoubtedly the worst thing that ever happened to Anisimova, and she has been open about the struggles she faced during this difficult time.

Anisimova's father, along with her mother Olga, emigrated from Russia to the United States in 1998. The family settled in Florida, where Anisimova's tennis career began to flourish. By 2016, Anisimova had reached No. 2 in the junior world rankings and won the U.S. Open girls title.

Anisimova made her Majors debut at the French Open in 2017 and broke into the top 100 of the WTA in 2018. She was once part of a group of promising young American tennis players. However, the grueling tennis schedule and constant international travel took a toll on Anisimova, leading her to step away from the sport for several months due to mental health and burnout issues.

During her break, Anisimova tried her hand at painting as a new hobby. She also spoke about the importance of discussing mental health and taking breaks, especially in the context of tennis. Anisimova is open about her experiences and believes it's crucial to be true to oneself for happiness.

Anisimova's parents, Olga and Konstantin, were supportive of their daughter's career but warned against overtraining and over-pushing. This advice seems to have resonated with Anisimova, as she returned to tennis in 2024 with renewed focus and determination.

In her comeback season, Anisimova made it to her first career WTA 1000 final at the Canadian Open in Toronto. She also won her first WTA 1000 title in February 2024 at the Qatar Open by defeating Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets.

As Anisimova prepares to face Sabalenka in the US Open final, she is set to play in her second Grand Slam final in three months. Rachel King, a news writer at Town & Country, has been following Anisimova's career closely. Before joining T&C, she spent nearly a decade as an editor at Fortune. Her work covering travel and lifestyle has appeared in various publications, including Forbes, Observer, Robb Report, Cruise Critic, and Cool Hunting. Follow her on Instagram at [her Instagram handle].