Just over two years ago, Amanda Anisimova stepped away from tennis due to burnout. A year ago, she attempted to qualify for Wimbledon but fell short, missing out on the main draw at the All England Club.
Now, she’s made a remarkable comeback—reaching her first Grand Slam final by defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in a gripping match on a sweltering Centre Court Thursday.
Seeded 13th, the New Jersey-born, Florida-raised Anisimova was appearing in just her second career major semifinal, the first since her breakthrough at the 2019 French Open as a 17-year-old.
“This doesn’t feel real right now,” she said after sealing the 2-hour, 36-minute victory with a forehand winner on her fourth match point. “I was absolutely dying out there. I don’t know how I pulled it out.”
She’ll compete for the Wimbledon title on Saturday against either Iga Swiatek or Belinda Bencic. The winner will become the tournament’s eighth straight first-time women’s champion.
Anisimova had taken a break from the tour in May 2023, citing a prolonged struggle with her mental health.
