Amanda Anisimova has been candid about her mental health challenges and experiences of burnout, both on and off the court. During the 2023 season, the American announced that she would take a break from the sport, revealing that she had been grappling with mental health issues since the summer of 2022.
Anisimova has consistently voiced her struggles and has not hesitated to speak against negativity. Last year, she confronted a social media troll who engaged in body shaming.
Amanda Anisimova Once Stood Up Against an Individual for Body Shaming
During the 2024 Canadian Open, Anisimova had defeated players such as Caroline Dolehide, Daria Kasatkina, Anna Kalinskaya, Aryna Sabalenka, and Emma Navarro to reach the finals. There, she finished as the runner-up after losing to Jessica Pegula.
During the WTA 1000 tournament, Anisimova faced online abuse where she was subjected to body shaming.
“Why? She wants to be world Nr. 1 player and win a GS. Being overweight as a professional athlete doesn’t really help her reach her goals,” the individual wrote on X.
In response, Anisimova condemned the comments, questioning whether they had nothing better to do than criticize someone’s appearance.
“Don’t you have anything better to do than comment on a 22 year olds body? Like do you have a job or friends ? Damn dude trust me, I’m okay and I don’t think anyone here is asking for your advice lolz,” she said.
Don’t you have anything better to do than comment on a 22 year olds body? Like do you have a job or friends ? Damn dude trust me, I’m okay and I don’t think anyone here is asking for your advice lolz
— A (@AnisimovaAmanda) August 11, 2024
In addition to Anisimova, her compatriot, Taylor Townsend, has also spoken out against the United States Tennis Association (USTA) for barring her from competing in the junior girls’ singles event at the 2012 US Open due to her allegedly being overweight.
“My body — it’s just a part of who I am. And if that makes you uncomfortable, then I don’t know what to say. I’m not thin, and I’ve never been thin. Like, forreal, I used to be out there on the court with my lil rolls hanging out in my tight tank tops. Why?? Because why not?? I liked the way I looked. I liked the way I felt, and I wasn’t ashamed,” Townsend stated.
On the tennis side, both Anisimova and Townsend are currently competing at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships. Anisimova has advanced to the semifinals of the singles event, marking her first appearance at this level at the London Major.
Meanwhile, Townsend has teamed up with Kateřina Siniaková in the women’s doubles event, where they are the top seeds and defending champions. The duo has reached the semifinals, where they will face the fourth-seeded team of Hsieh Su-wei and Jeļena Ostapenko.
How Has Amanda Anisimova Fared So Far at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships?
Anisimova began her campaign at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships with an impressive victory, defeating Yulia Putintseva with a commanding score of 6-0, 6-0 in the first round. She then overcame Renata Zarazúa 6-4, 6-3 in the second round.
The World No. 12 triumphed over Dalma Gálfi with a scoreline of 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 and registered a 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 win over 30th seed, Linda Nosková in the third and fourth round, respectively. Anisimova secured her place in the semifinals against top seed Aryna Sabalenka by defeating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 7-6(9) in the quarterfinals.
Anisimova and Sabalenka have met eight times previously on the WTA Tour, with the American leading in their head-to-head record 5-3. Their most recent clash was in the fourth round of the 2025 French Open, where Sabalenka emerged victorious with a score of 7-5, 6-3.
The winner of the semifinal match between Anisimova and Sabalenka at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships will advance to face either eighth seed Iga Świątek or Belinda Bencic in the final.
