Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

A Recharged Anisimova Is Trending In Melbourne

A Recharged Anisimova Is Trending In Melbourne


Last year, 22-year-old American Amanda Anisimova took eight months off from the WTA Tour.

In 2019, her father, also her coach, suddenly passed away. She continued to compete on tour, but how could that enormous grief not play a role in her life on and off the court?

In May 2023, she announced that she’d be taking an indefinite break from tennis, citing burnout and concerns for her mental health: “I’ve really been struggling with my mental health and burnout since the summer of 2022. It’s become unbearable being at tennis tournaments.”

Anisimova said she’d worked as hard as she could to push through it, but that she needed a break.

During that break, she spent time with friends and family, took on-campus college courses, and developed a passion for painting—beautiful abstracts splashed in lively pink and teal, muted peach and gray, a striking swirling blue sea and black starry sky. Her art was even exhibited at a gallery in Tribeca.

 

Anisimova returned to the WTA Tour just two weeks ago, reaching the second round in Auckland.

Now, after beating Spaniard Paula Badosa (who’d also taken time off in the latter half of last season with a back injury), 7-5, 6-4, on John Cain Arena, she’s in the Round of 16 at the Australian Open.

For the match, Anisimova hit 75% of her first serves in, with four aces and six double faults. Badosa hit 56% of her first serves in, with three aces and three double faults.

Anisimova played her powerful, aggressive style of tennis, with 40 winners and 29 unforced errors, while Badosa, the former world No. 2, also an incredible ball striker, hit 18 winners and 10 unforced errors.

In the first set, Anisimova was down 4-1, but fought back, stepping into her shots, hitting exquisitely-timed down-the-line backhands and piercing forehand winners.

In the second set, they stayed on serve until the seventh game, when Anisimova broke at love with a forehand down-the-line winner. She then held at love with a big serve and another forehand winner. At this stage of the set, she’d won 10 points in a row. Anisimova was calm and connecting beautifully on her shots. Badosa was able to hold, fending off the depth of Anisimova, and with a nice pick-up for a winner.

At 5-4, Anisimova served impressively, earning a trio of match points and winning on the second one when Badosa netted a forehand.

Closing her eyes in relief, the American gave a subdued celebration: a soft fist pump, friendly handshake, and raising her racquet to thank the crowd.

In her on-court interview, Anisimova said of her victory: “It’s quite unbelievable after taking some time off. But I’m really feeling good. And I think the most important thing is that I’m just enjoying my time out here. Yeah, I’m just really happy to be playing here and into the next round.”

At the end of the first set, Anisimova was doubled over in pain and took a medical timeout to treat her abdominal area.

She said that in that last game of the match that her stomach was starting to hurt again, and she was just relieved it was over, and she could finally take a breath.

Asked about her decision to take time off, she said: “I think taking a step away and just really being at home, and just resetting myself gave me a different perspective going into these tournaments, and I really try to be present when I’m here and just really enjoy every second that I’m here. In the past, I was just getting too caught up in the past and the future, so I think having that is a huge advantage for me now.”

Next up for Anisimova is second seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. Anisimova leads 4-1 in the head-to-head, though their last three matches were extended to three sets.





Source link

This website aggregates and curates news articles, blog posts, and other content from a variety of external sources. While we aim to link back to the original source, this site does not own or claim ownership of any articles, posts, or other content indexed on this site. The views, opinions, and factual statements expressed in each piece of aggregated content belong solely to its respective author and publisher. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of aggregated content. Visitors are advised to verify facts and claims through the original source before reuse or redistribution.