'I never regretted taking that break': Amanda Anisimova embraces 2023 reset as she advances in US Open

Amanda Anisimova made a winning return to the US Open stage on Tuesday, defeating Australia’s Kimberly Birrell 6-3, 6-2 in a confident opening-round performance. For the 23-year-old American, it was not just about advancing in the draw, but about embracing the spotlight again at Flushing Meadows after a whirlwind summer that included her career-defining run to the Wimbledon final.

While the scoreline suggested control, Anisimova was quick to acknowledge that it wasn’t all straightforward. “I feel like I could have played better, but it wasn’t bad either,” she admitted in her press conference. “It was the first round, and I think I was trying to play better than I was. Obviously Kim’s a really tough player, and I’d never played her before, so she definitely made things tricky for me. But I’m happy to be through and it was great to be back.”

Part of the challenge for Anisimova was timing. With the US Open introducing a three-day staggered schedule for the first round, she had to wait until Tuesday to finally hit the court. Far from being bothered, she welcomed the delay. “I kind of wanted that extra training,” she explained. “I’ve been here for over a week, and I think the more days I get to be on court and practice my shots, the better it is. So I was actually quite happy to be on the last day.”

That patience and perspective reflect a player who has experienced highs and lows well beyond her age. Anisimova’s career has been punctuated by both moments of brilliance and personal setbacks, including time away from the tour. But this season, her game has found new life. The run to the Wimbledon final was a breakthrough, not only in results but in how she carries herself on the sport’s biggest stages.

Wimbledon memories still fresh, but eyes forward

Asked how she processed her deep run at the All England Club, Anisimova said she allowed herself some downtime before shifting quickly back into competition mode. “I went to New York where my family was, then I went home for a little bit—I hadn’t been home since April,” she recalled. “Then I trained in Miami and headed to Montreal. By the time I finished my training week in Miami, I was really excited to get back out there and start the hard-court swing.”

Importantly, she hasn’t let Wimbledon define her. “I was processing it, but it’s not like I kept looking back at it,” she said. “I was still very much in the present moment. When I got to Miami, it was just like a switch—training mode and getting ready for the hard courts. I didn’t really think much about it, I just wanted to keep improving.”

From juniors to pros: A long road traveled

Anisimova also reflected on her 2017 junior title in New York, where she beat Coco Gauff in the final—a memory revived when she stepped onto Arthur Ashe Stadium wearing a similar red outfit. “It was such a long time ago,” she smiled. “But for sure it made my transition into the pros easier. Winning a Grand Slam in juniors and then going straight into the pro circuit really helped with my confidence and ended my junior career the way I would have wanted.”

That perspective has been sharpened by life’s challenges. “I’ve definitely experienced a lot,” she said. “There are tons of good memories and bad memories, but it’s all part of the experience. It’s been a hell of a ride, and I’m just happy to be where I am today.”

Newfound joy and confidence

Now ranked inside the Top 20, Anisimova insists she feels excitement rather than pressure entering her home Slam. “I love playing here,” she said. “If anything, I just embrace where I am and where my ranking is when I step on court, and I try to use it to my advantage.”

That mindset was visible even in defeat earlier this summer, when she lost the Wimbledon final but handled the post-match ceremony with remarkable composure. “It was definitely a very hard moment,” she admitted. “Keeping my composure and trying to manage my nerves was really difficult. But I was happy with the way I carried myself—that was the only thing in my control.”

Her journey back from a sabbatical in 2023 has also reshaped her relationship with tennis. “I never regretted taking that break. It gave me a whole new perspective,” she said. “Even on training days, I appreciate the process a lot more than I used to. Overall, I enjoy the lifestyle and the journey of the pro circuit.”

That renewed joy was evident as she dispatched Birrell under the lights of Flushing Meadows. For Anisimova, it’s not only about chasing wins, but about cherishing the ride. If her Wimbledon run was proof of her potential, her US Open campaign may show how far her resilience and refreshed outlook can take her.