The Courageous Comeback
After being absent from professional tennis for eight months due to mental health concerns, the American tennis prodigy Amanda Anisimova made a sensational return at ASB Classic.
The 22-year-old athlete first competes against former French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the tournament’s opening round, and she wins it in style posting a 7-5, 6-4 victory.
Anisimova’s return on the court was not just a win but also her fortitude and valor. She had stepped back from the grueling demands of professional tennis because she needed to address depression and burnout issues that were important for her well-being.
Courageous Vulnerability and Advocacy
It was brave of someone like Anisimova to openly talk about such deeply personal matters on a public platform.
She was, however, convinced that it was the right thing to do. “I was happy that I could be honest about why I left,” says Anisimova.
By doing this, she aimed at both her healing process and helping others who may face similar challenges.
“If I can help other people in knowing that they are not the only ones struggling, they are not alone in it… taking care of yourself always comes first,” she emphasized.
A Vital Break and Productive Reset of Amanda Anisimova
This break also was not simply time off; instead it was productive for Anisimova. Having been playing tennis all her life and dealing with her father’s sudden death in 2019, she understood that she had to step back.
During this period, she went on a road trip across America with friends and visited Europe as well as enrolling into college for one semester all which helped redirect her focus to other experiences away from tennis.
“It was really necessary for me just to reset, take some time away, and some time off,” said Andreyenko.
In this way, she got a different perspective of the game that she loved so much, and it was an opportunity for her to mature as a player and as an individual.
Growth and Learning
When talking about her time off, Anisimova pointed out what she had learned and how much her personality had changed.
“There were a lot of things that I learned over the break that I want to do differently,” she said, which showed how she would approach the next season.
This break has allowed her to grow up considerably more and see her career in a new light.
A Steady Return
Last September, without setting discrete timelines for her return, Anisimova slowly introduced herself into tennis.
Preparing mentally and physically in preparation for coming to the court again after resuming training gradually at first, then picking up speed in training is what culminated into a victorious participation at ASB Classic tournament.
A Challenging Yet Rewarding Match
Her match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova wasn’t without its trials. Both players struggled with their serves but Anisimova showcased moments of brilliance, hitting powerful winners particularly on her forehand side.
Seven breaks occurred in the opening set as Anisimova managed to get one during the crucial moment just at 5-5 before taking the set.
It was in the face of muscle spasms and battling a strong adversary that Anisimova displayed resilience and prowess before eventually winning on her second match point in the second set.
Though feeling physically uncomfortable, she could not hide her happiness to be out on the court again. “I didn’t feel too good physically, but I went through it…just having fun every single moment there,” she said.
Looking Forward
Anisimova moves forward with her journey into the next round where she will face the challenge of Marie Bouzkova, ranked fifth and currently at number 34 on WTA’s world ratings.
Anisimova continues to inspire as she makes her way back to professional tennis by advocating for mental health awareness and stressing the importance of self-care in a competitive sport environment.
