Amanda Anisimova: Once a teenage prodigy, now a Wimbledon finalist

Once hailed as a teenage tennis prodigy with effortless power and poise, Amanda Anisimova is now writing the most compelling chapter of her career: a place in the Wimbledon 2025 final. The 23-year-old American’s road to this moment has been anything but smooth. From early triumphs and personal tragedy to a dramatic fall and stunning comeback, Anisimova’s story is one of resilience, growth, and relentless pursuit of greatness.

🌱 Rising Star: The Early Years

Anisimova burst onto the tennis scene in her mid-teens with a rare blend of power and court maturity. At just 16, she reached the fourth round of the 2018 Indian Wells Open, and the following year made a jaw-dropping run to the French Open semifinals, toppling defending champion Simona Halep along the way. The tennis world took notice: here was a player with Grand Slam-winning potential, backed by a cool temperament and a world-class backhand.

But just as her ascent began, life threw a devastating curveball.

💔 Loss and Setbacks

In 2019, Amanda’s father and long-time coach, Konstantin Anisimov, passed away suddenly. It was a loss that shook her personally and professionally. For a young athlete whose foundation had been built around her father, the emotional toll was immense.

Though she attempted to continue competing, her performances became inconsistent. The global COVID-19 pandemic further disrupted her momentum, and mental health challenges soon followed. In 2023, Anisimova announced a break from tennis, citing burnout and the need to prioritize her well-being. Her ranking dropped outside the top 180. Many feared the prodigy might never return to her earlier form.

🔄 Reinvention and Resurgence

But Amanda wasn’t done.

In late 2024, she quietly began training again, this time with a more focused team and a renewed mindset. She partnered with coach Rick Vleeshouwers, who helped her rework not just her tactics, but her belief system. Her comeback began modestly on the ITF circuit, but it was clear the fire was returning.

The real breakthrough came in early 2025, when she captured her first WTA 1000 title in Doha, dispatching several top-20 players along the way. Her confidence grew with each match. A runner-up finish at Queen’s Club on grass established her as a serious contender for Wimbledon. But even then, few predicted she would go this far.

🏆 Wimbledon 2025: A Star Reborn

At Wimbledon, Anisimova has played with the clarity and fearlessness that defined her as a teen, but now paired with the grit of someone who has endured loss and comeback. Her victories en route to the final have included wins over top-ten opposition, culminating in a stunning semifinal upset of World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

In a tense, three-set battle on Centre Court, Anisimova edged Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, saving multiple break points in the final set with breathtaking winners down the line. Her serve, once seen as a vulnerability, held strong under pressure. Her groundstrokes—especially her two-handed backhand—punctuated rallies with deadly precision.

With that win, Amanda became:

• The youngest American to reach the Wimbledon final since Serena Williams in 2004
• The first American woman to make the final since Serena’s win in 2016
• The first player born in the 2000s to reach a Wimbledon women’s final

🧠 A New Mindset

What’s most remarkable about this version of Amanda Anisimova isn’t just the shot-making—it’s the mental transformation. She plays with joy, purpose, and maturity, rarely showing the frustration that once haunted her on court. Her openness about mental health has inspired fans and fellow players alike.

In a recent interview, she said:

“There were times when I couldn’t see myself coming back. I was lost. But stepping away helped me find who I was outside of tennis. Now, I’m playing because I love it.”

Her team has emphasized rest, psychological well-being, and smart scheduling over the grind that often derails young players. The result is a more balanced, focused athlete ready to fulfill her long-known potential.

👀 The Final Showdown

Anisimova now faces another powerhouse in the final: Iga Swiatek, the Polish four-time Grand Slam champion who, like Amanda, is in her first Wimbledon final. It’s a dream matchup between two players who dominated the junior scene and now stand at the pinnacle of the sport.

Swiatek brings clay-court finesse and strategic depth, while Anisimova counters with fearless aggression and flat hitting suited to grass. Their previous head-to-head meetings are split, but Amanda’s confidence on the surface may give her an edge.

For American fans hungry for the next great star post-Serena and Venus, Amanda’s run has ignited hope. Her journey—from prodigy to adversity to redemption—mirrors the emotional arcs that define all great champions.

🔮 What Comes Next?

Whether she lifts the trophy or not, Amanda Anisimova has already won something more significant—a second chance. Her rise is a reminder that athletic success isn’t always linear, and that sometimes stepping away is the bravest move a competitor can make.

She’s shown that mental health matters, that perseverance pays off, and that talent never disappears—it just needs the right moment to shine again.

And at Wimbledon 2025, shine she has.