**Amanda Anisimova’s Inspiring Wimbledon Journey: Rising Above Personal Hardship**
American tennis star Amanda Anisimova has captivated the sporting world after reaching her first ever Grand Slam final at Wimbledon, just six years after grabbing headlines as a teenage prodigy at Roland Garros. Behind the exhilarating success on Centre Court, however, lies a story marked by extraordinary personal resilience and profound loss.
Anisimova, aged 23, stormed through the tournament with a stunning semi-final triumph over world-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, having previously dispatched Russia’s Anastasiya Pavlyuchenkova in the quarter-finals. Her run created waves not only for the quality of her tennis but also the spirit and warmth she exuded. One memorable moment featured Anisimova bringing her four-year-old nephew Jaxon onto the grass after her victory, endearing herself even further to the Wimbledon faithful.
Now set to face reigning champion Iga Świątek in what is set to be a gripping final, Anisimova’s joy on court has been a stark and uplifting contrast to the ‘unbearable’ challenges she has faced in her personal life. The Florida-born player revealed in a post-match interview: “It’s been an extraordinary year for me. There have been so many highs. It’s just been such a ride, and I’ve been enjoying every step of the way.”
Anisimova’s rise initially accelerated in 2019, when at just 17 years old she powered into the French Open semi-finals, rapidly becoming one of the sport’s most talked-about talents. However, just as her career was blossoming, tragedy struck as her father and coach, Konstantin, died suddenly from a heart attack. The devastating blow came mere days before her 18th birthday, prompting Anisimova to withdraw from the US Open and sparking a period of turmoil and reflection in her life. In later interviews, she described the time as the “worst thing that ever happened” to her, saying: “It was very tough.”
Grieving and searching for stability, Anisimova over the following years saw her career marked by both remarkable achievements and testing setbacks. A turning point appeared in her private life when she began a relationship with Australian sportsman Tyler Roos, himself the son of AFL legend Paul Roos and a competitor in the Australian Football League and on reality TV. Their enduring partnership has offered Anisimova a much needed sense of support and happiness off the court.
Despite flashes of hope, Anisimova’s struggles with mental health led her to an unexpected hiatus. In May 2023, she made the difficult decision to step away from tennis, citing persistent burnout and emotional fatigue. “I’ve really been struggling with my mental health and burnout since the summer of 2022,” she disclosed on social media, explaining the sport had become “unbearable” and her priority had shifted to taking care of her well-being.
During her absence from competitive tennis, Anisimova dedicated time to painting, channelling her energy into a creative outlet that provided both solace and relaxation. She launched the ‘Art for Hope’ initiative, directing proceeds from her artwork sales to support mental health charities.
Upon returning to the professional circuit, Anisimova entered Wimbledon in 2024 but exited in the qualifying stages. Nevertheless, she used the opportunity to highlight the importance of mental wellness, telling ESPN: “You can struggle with your mental health. It’s just as important as your physical health.”
Her determination to return was never in doubt, and she confessed: “I always knew deep down that no matter how long I was going to take off, I was going to come back to the tour. There were so many things I still wanted to achieve, and I didn’t want to walk away so early after sacrificing so much.” She added that her new-found passion for tennis has made every victory more meaningful, reflecting a changed perspective since her teenage years.
As she prepares for the defining match of her career, Anisimova has also become an advocate for openness around mental health in elite sports. She commented, “We’ve seen a lot of players struggle with that. I think a lot of teams are starting to understand what it takes to create more happiness in players’ lives. It’s important to have fun on and off the court.”
Amanda Anisimova’s presence at the Wimbledon final symbolises more than just sporting excellence—it represents a journey of courage, vulnerability and hope, inspiring fans and fellow athletes alike to recognise the human challenges behind the glory of the game.