How Amanda Anisimova found her happy place in tennis it started with leaving the sport
There’s a noticeable difference between Amanda Anisimova in 2023 and now.Anisimova made headlines three years ago when she stepped away from tennis in order to intentionally reset mentally and physically from the grueling grind of playing professionally.“When it came to taking my break and everything I learned about that, and just trying to really reach my full potential … it really did mean having a good balance,” Anisimova recently told The Post. The eight-month break proved to be exactly what she needed. Her story is an example of the balance that athletes are trying to strike in terms of the rigors that come with professional sports while being mindful of their mental well-being. “I was never that athlete who performed well from overtraining or constantly being at tournaments and only having work to look forward to,” Anisimova said.
“I’ve always been someone who needs to have a good balance and needs to go home and recharge my batteries, especially my mental energy.“And after doing that, I feel like I was able to finally achieve the results that I wanted.
Especially last year, I had such a great year.Apart from the results that I had, I was also having a lot of fun off of the court, and I think that’s what made it so successful.”Since she returned to the sport in 2024, Anisimova has skyrocketed in the WTA rankings, reaching a career-best World No.
3 ranking in January, and entering this year’s U.S.Open No.
10 on the WTA rankings.Last year she reached consecutive Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open.
She did not win a game against Iga Swiatek at the All England Club but fought Aryna Sabalenka for two tough sets at Flushing Meadows before succumbing.Anisimova is hoping her story can show others the benefits of taking a break to put themselves first.
The 24-year-old New Jersey native has partnered with Pure Leaf Iced Tea to share her story during the two weeks of the U.S.Open, which includes a fan activation by the drink ...