Amanda Anisimova Makes Winning Return to Wimbledon

By Sanjay Menon — 30 June 2026 — 4 min read

Amanda Anisimova, who reached a final at Wimbledon last year, has made a winning return to the Grand Slam. She defeated qualifier Lina Gjorcheska with a score of 6-3, 6-2 to advance to the second round on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

Anisimova had experienced a 6-0, 6-0 loss to Iga Swiatek in the title match 12 months prior. However, the American player demonstrated no lingering effects from that defeat, as she overcame her North Macedonian opponent on Court Two.

Gjorcheska, notable as the first player from her country to compete in a Grand Slam main draw, attempted to extend the match by showing resistance towards the end. Despite her efforts, Anisimova proved to be too strong, concluding the match in 61 minutes.

Anisimova commented on the challenge of playing a qualifier, stating, “It’s not easy playing a qualifier who has had a few matches under her belt.” She also noted that she and Gjorcheska had not faced each other before, making it a difficult first-round match. Despite recent struggles with a wrist injury, Anisimova expressed excitement about being back at Wimbledon.

She shared her positive feelings about returning, saying, “When I got here I was filled with great memories and I’m trying to carry that vibe … trying to enjoy each day here.”

Anisimova’s Journey and Expectations

Last summer marked a significant period for Anisimova, as she reached consecutive finals at the U.S. Open and Wimbledon. During this time, she also secured two WTA 1000 titles in Doha and Beijing, achieving a career-high ranking of world no. 4.

Reflecting on her achievements, Anisimova mentioned, “I achieved a lot that I didn’t think that I’d be able to do.” She highlighted her consistency in 2025 as a major accomplishment, noting a strong start and finish to the year. Despite these successes, she remains ambitious, stating she is “hungry for more.”

The current season began strongly for Anisimova, who reached a career-high ranking of world no. 3. She advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open before being defeated by fellow American Jessica Pegula. However, she faced a wrist injury in April and May, which impacted her performance.

The injury led to a third-round exit at the French Open and her withdrawal from the Berlin Open, a grass-court warm-up event for Wimbledon. Despite these setbacks, she noted that her wrist felt “not so bad after a few matches” following her loss at Roland Garros.

Anisimova expressed her anticipation for playing on the grass courts of the All England Lawn Tennis Club. She believes the courts suit her playing style well and does not typically feel nervous there. “I’m always excited to play there and hope I do my best,” she stated, adding that she approaches the tournament without specific expectations, particularly regarding her previous final appearance.

Her approach focuses on consistent effort rather than outcomes. She aims to concentrate on “doing the right things day in and day out to get me to where I want to go,” rather than tying her goals to factors outside her control, such as winning or rankings.

Mental Well-being and Future Outlook

Anisimova‘s continued success is particularly noteworthy given her decision to take a break from the sport in 2023. At that time, she publicly shared her struggles with mental health and burnout since the summer of 2022, describing it as “unbearable being at tennis tournaments.”

Upon her return in early 2024, mental well-being and self-care became a primary focus. She emphasizes the importance of balancing her professional life with personal time. “I try to really have a good balance between resetting and recharging my batteries,” she explained, acknowledging the demanding nature of competing week after week.

Anisimova, who turned professional at a young age, feels she has matured significantly over the past eight years. She views herself as a veteran in some respects, having experienced many tournaments and understanding the intricacies of the sport. She believes she is currently in a positive phase of her career, possessing valuable experience while still having many years ahead.

She also reflected on her younger self, wishing she had been more selective about commitments. She now prioritizes her own needs and feelings, considering whether activities align with her values and comfort levels. This shift represents a significant change from her teenage years.

Despite two prominent losses in the Wimbledon and U.S. Open finals in 2025, Anisimova found renewed enjoyment in tennis, describing it as a “newfound joy” and feeling like she has “started a new career.”

She credits her supportive team for contributing to her positive outlook. “I just have such a great team around me that I love spending time with,” she said, highlighting the importance of enjoying time off the court with her companions. This camaraderie helps keep her in good spirits and motivated to work daily.

Anisimova expressed her gratitude for her career, appreciating the opportunity to play in major stadiums in various cities. She described the feeling of competing in tight, significant matches with an engaged audience as a “special feeling” that she may not experience in other aspects of life. In the next round, Anisimova will face either Petra Marcinko or Sofia Kenin.

Source: thehindu.com