Amanda Anisimova’s Grit Shines in Wimbledon Thriller
No one saw this coming—a 13th seed, coming back from the edge of walking away from the sport, toppling the world’s best on the most storied tennis stage there is. Amanda Anisimova’s shock victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the Wimbledon semifinals wasn’t just another upset. It was a full-circle moment for a player who was once tipped for greatness, only to have her momentum brutally interrupted by burnout and doubt.
Anisimova didn’t just win in straight sets or cruise through this match. She was made to dig, to sweat, and almost to break as she fought Sabalenka in a heart-pounding three-set battle that ended 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. At one point, she had two match points slip through her fingers with nerves threatening to get the better of her. Sabalenka, known for her sheer power and world No. 1 ranking, looked ready to hammer the door shut, but Anisimova steadied herself. This was about stamina, guts, and not letting the demons that chased her off the tour eight months ago win this time.
The Story Behind the Comeback
Amanda’s win goes way beyond the stat sheet. Take it back to last year: she couldn’t find form, she stepped away, and spent most of a season working through mental health struggles and that endless question most pros quietly dread—do I even want this anymore? She admitted, openly, to feeling like she was ‘dying out there,’ her body and mind asking for a break even as she chased every ball. There were plenty of moments, even in this match, where old wobbles threatened to return.
This time, though, it was different. You could see it not just in how she played but how she spoke after the match. ‘This doesn’t feel real right now,’ Anisimova confessed, wiping away sweat and disbelief. But it was real. And the joy was obvious, too, as she spoke about her support team and her fresh gratitude for simply being out there, swinging freely.
- First time reaching a Grand Slam final
- Defeated the top-ranked player in the world
- Battled through nerves and adversity down the stretch
- Showcased resilience after an extended mental health break
This run at Wimbledon has been a big middle finger to the doubters and a rallying cry for anyone who has ever needed to hit pause, regroup, and start again. Making the final at Wimbledon is extraordinary for anyone. Doing it after everything Anisimova has been through takes it to another level entirely.
Now she faces Iga Swiatek for the title. Whether or not she lifts the trophy, the message is loud and clear: stepping away can be just as brave as pushing through, and the road back can lead somewhere even better than before.
