Amanda Anisimova’s Inspiring Tennis Comeback: From Mental Health Struggles to Grand Slam Success
A Remarkable Return to Tennis
After taking an indefinite break from tennis due to mental health concerns, Amanda Anisimova made a triumphant return to the sport, beginning with a victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova at the Auckland Open.
The American professional tennis player has achieved remarkable success in 2025, reaching a career-high singles ranking of world No. 7 in July. Her accomplishments include winning three WTA Tour titles, notably a WTA 1000 event at the Qatar Ladies Open, and reaching the finals at Wimbledon Championships.
Mental Health Journey and Personal Growth
Anisimova’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. By May 2023, she made the difficult decision to step back from the sport, sharing on Instagram that she had been struggling with mental health and burnout since 2022, making tournament participation ‘unbearable.’ Her priority became focusing on her mental well-being.
During her break from tennis, Anisimova didn’t touch a racket for months. Instead, she embraced life as a typical twenty-something – taking road trips through the Great Smoky Mountains, vacationing in Europe, spending time with family, exploring painting, and even completing a semester in college.
2025: A Year of Triumphs
Since returning to the court in early 2024, Anisimova’s trajectory has been nothing short of impressive. Starting from world No. 373, she fought her way back into the top 50 within eight months. Her biggest achievement came in February 2025, when she claimed the WTA 1000 title in Qatar by defeating former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.
Looking Ahead
Currently competing at the US Open, Anisimova remains focused and optimistic. After securing her place in the quarterfinals, she acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, ‘At this stage of the game you’re going to play a really tough opponent, regardless.’ She maintains confidence in her current form, emphasizing that she’s been playing well.
