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At 21, Amanda Anisimova should be enjoying the early days of her budding tennis career, but the rigors of professional tennis have taken their toll and she’s decided to take an extended break to protect her mental health.
Anisimova peaked in 2017 as a 15-year-old and climbed to the top 100 in the WTA rankings at the end of 2018, and is considered one of the top prospects on the tour.
Although still in the top 100, the American suffered from fatigue and took a break from tennis.
«Okay guys. I thought I’d do a post about what’s been going on and my plans. I’ve been really struggling with my mental health and fatigue since the summer of 2022,» she wrote on Instagram.
“Attending tennis tournaments has become impossible. My priority at this point is my mental well-being and taking some time off. I worked as hard as I could to get through it. I miss being there, and appreciate all the constant support ✌️
In the year Following her debut in 2018, Anisimova continued her impressive growth, becoming the first player born in the 21st century the following year.
The American followed up her semi-final run at Roland Garros by defeating defending champion Simona Halep and Aryna Sabalenka before falling to eventual winner Ashley Barty.
They won their first title in the Copa Colasanitas and finished 21st, but in 2019 also saw her heartbroken as her father died shortly before the US Open.
Speaking about her struggles in later interviews, the teenager told the New York Times: “It’s obviously the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through and the hardest thing that’s ever happened to me, and I don’t talk about it. with anyone.
“The only thing that helped me was playing tennis and being on the court. This is what makes me happy. I know it makes him happy too. So that’s how it is.»
Unsurprisingly, the 2020 season continued as she lost form and dropped out of the top 75 rankings for the year.
But in the year There were hints of a comeback in 2022 when she won her second title – the Melbourne summer set – earlier in the year and returned to the top 30 on the back of a run in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.
However, the 2023 season proved difficult again for Anisimova, winning just two matches before announcing her retirement from tennis.
It remains to be seen when she will return to the sport, but she is not the only WTA player who has decided to focus on her personal safety instead of putting her head in the sand and fighting.
Four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi OsakaShe is the biggest example of her taking time off from the game after the 2021 French Open. Former world number 1 Garbine Muguruza She opted for an extended break midway through the season because she struggled.
It’s not always easy to leave as many say «if you love it and you’ll never have to work a day in your life», but sometimes the job you love can take its toll.
