Amanda Anisimova Reaches Grand Slam Semifinals, Celebrates with Family
LONDON — American tennis player Amanda Anisimova recently achieved a significant milestone by advancing to her first Grand Slam semifinal in six years. This achievement came after a hard-fought match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, where Anisimova displayed remarkable resilience, saving five set points before clinching the victory with a score of 6-1, 7-6 (9).
Anisimova, who first gained recognition in 2019 by reaching the finals at the French Open at just 17 years old, took a break from the tour in 2022 due to struggles with mental health and burnout. At 23, she has returned stronger than ever, currently seeded 13th at Wimbledon, and guaranteed a spot in the top 10 rankings after this tournament—a remarkable turnaround from a year ago when she didn’t qualify for the main event.
Reflecting on her journey, Anisimova expressed gratitude, saying, “It’s been an extraordinary year for me. So many highs. I’ve been enjoying every step of the way.” She looks forward to facing the top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday for a chance to compete in the final. Anisimova emphasized the importance of staying present during the challenging moments of her matches.
Dominating the early stages, Anisimova initially took a commanding lead, allowing her to be aggressive. However, she faced stiff competition from Pavlyuchenkova, ranked 50th, who took advantage of some mistakes at crucial moments. In the tight tiebreaker, Anisimova was behind 6-3 but showcased her fighting spirit, eventually overcoming the odds.
When she won the match with a powerful serve that left her opponent unable to return, Anisimova fell to the ground in celebration and was soon met by her family in the stands, including her nephew, Jackson. The joy of sharing this moment with loved ones made her victory even more special. “I’m just super grateful that they flew in and got to experience this with me,” she said.
As Anisimova continues her journey at Wimbledon, her triumph serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination that can lead to success, both in sports and life.
