The inspiring comeback of Amanda Anisimova

Amanda Anisimova has reached a major milestone by advancing to her second Grand Slam semi-final at the Wimbledon Championships this year, having first reached one at Roland-Garros in 2019. The talented American has been in outstanding form this season, having also captured her first WTA 1000 title at the Qatar Ladies Open.

However, her journey has not been without challenges. In May 2023, she announced an indefinite break from tennis to address mental health struggles and burnout. After more than six months away from the tour, she made her comeback in 2024 — and the time off appears to have paid off.

Now, the 23-year-old stands on the verge of her first Grand Slam final, which is a testament to her resilience and renewed focus.

Anisimova broke through in 2017, when she won the US Open girls’ singles title. However, it was in 2019 that she truly rose to fame. She reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, beating one of the title contenders — Aryna Sabalenka — along the way. She went one better at the French Open, reaching her first Grand Slam semi-final by defeating the defending champion, Simona Halep, before losing to Ashleigh Barty.

A few more encouraging results helped her climb the rankings, reaching World No. 21 by the end of the season. She continued her progress and development over the next few years, though titles remained elusive.

Poor results and a packed tennis schedule led to burnout and mental fatigue, and in 2023 she made the significant decision to step away from the game for almost the entire season to focus on her mental health. The six-month break had a major impact on her singles ranking, which dropped to World No. 359 by the end of the year.

Anisimova returned to professional tennis in 2024 at the Auckland Open. It seemed the time away had done her a world of good, as she reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, continually improving and notching up big wins.

Her best result came at the Canada Open, where she reached the final after defeating top-ranked players like Daria Kasatkina, Aryna Sabalenka, and Emma Navarro. Although she lost to Jessica Pegula in the final, her strong performance helped her return to the top 50 in the rankings.

2025 has been a successful year for Anisimova so far. Currently ranked inside the top 15, she won her first WTA 1000 title at the Qatar Ladies Open and has now reached her second Grand Slam semi-final.

Stepping away from the game to take care of herself proved to be a significant decision, and the results speak for themselves. She looks happy and content, finally realising her true potential — standing on the brink of a Wimbledon final, having played exceptionally throughout the tournament.

Even though Amanda Anisimova has made an impressive return to the game, regaining her form and competing at the highest level, not every player is able to do the same. Her comeback is inspiring, but it also highlights a larger issue within the sport — one that needs to be acknowledged and addressed.

Tennis is undoubtedly one of the most physically and mentally demanding sports. In women’s tennis, where competition is arguably fiercer, maintaining consistency is no easy feat. With the number of tournaments increasing each year, the tennis calendar is more crowded than ever, placing greater strain on players and leading to increased physical exhaustion as well as mental fatigue.

Long-term injuries are becoming more common, significantly impacting a player’s form, confidence, and overall career trajectory. Many players have begun speaking out about their concerns, highlighting the toll this intense schedule is taking on their overall health.

It’s high time for the WTA — and the ATP as well — to acknowledge these issues and take meaningful action to address the growing risk of burnout before more players are pushed to their limits.