Amanda Anisimova proves doubters wrong with run to Wimbledon final

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Amanda Anisimova celebrates winning her semi-final match against Aryna Sabalenka.

PHOTO: REUTERS

LONDON – Amanda Anisimova said she had proved the doubters wrong by reaching her first Wimbledon final, just two years after being warned that taking a mental health break could ruin her career.

The American, seeded 13th, stunned world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win in a bruising semi-final on Centre Court on Thursday.

The 23-year-old will face five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek in the title match on Saturday.

It was a cathartic triumph for Anisimova, who was a rising star after reaching the French Open semi-finals aged just 17 in 2019. But she struggled to live up to the hype after that breakthrough run at Roland Garros.

Anisimova stepped away from tennis in 2023 after suffering with depression brought on by the scrutiny and expectations that came with being a teen prodigy.

She was then told that her exile could be fatal to her chances of competing at a high level when she eventually returned. Immediately after returning to action last year, Anisimova dropped outside the top 400.

But she won the Qatar Open this February and showed she was comfortable on grass by reaching the Queen’s Club final in June.

After reaching her first Wimbledon semi-final, Anisimova was already guaranteed to move into the top 10 in the WTA rankings for the first time next week.

Now she is within touching distance of fulfilling her potential with a first Grand Slam crown.

“I think it goes to show that it is possible,” she said.

“I think that’s a really special