In the back half of 2025, Amanda Anisimova has surged to become a tennis superstar.
After reaching back-to-back Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, Anisimova’s latest triumph at Beijing’s China Open means she is now a multiple-time WTA 1000 champion.
These achievements have propelled her to a career-high ranking of world No.4.
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During the American’s rapid ascent she has taken down the best players in the world at big events. She toppled world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon, world No.2 Iga Swiatek at the US Open, and most recently, world No.3 Coco Gauff in Beijing.
After an eight-month break in 2023, Anisimova has openly championed the importance of stepping away from the sport when needed. She credits that time off as a turning point in her development, and for giving her a better understanding of her competitive and emotional limits.
Despite battling pain in her foot and calf – which later forced her withdrawal from season’s final WTA 1000 event in Wuhan – Anisimova persisted through a demanding week in Beijing to deliver one of her most commanding performances yet.
“This week has been really great for me in terms of pushing myself and learning ways to keep myself in check and to keep pushing myself and being mentally strong,” Anisimova said after beating Linda Noskova 6-0 2-6 6-2 in the final.
“There were obviously some really tough moments where I was thinking of pulling out a few times. I think those were the hardest moments because you're trying to have a conversation with yourself and figure out what's the best decision to make.”
Managing the strenuous realities of the tour, Anisimova also reflected on how she is improving her understanding of those demands.
“We as athletes don't feel great day in, day out. I think that's just part of the learning process,” she said.
“I'm just really happy that I was able to stick it through and also trust myself and my team, who informed me about my body. Yeah, just trusting and believing in them and myself.”
Many believe Anisimova has always had the characteristics necessary to compete with the very best, given she possesses some of the most damaging groundstrokes in the women’s game.
Now, having the trust in those shots and that she can consistently perform is proving key to her current success, as Australian Billie Jean King Cup coach Nicole Pratt recognised.
“I think it’s that mental fortitude and that belief system she now has,” Pratt said on this week’s episode of The Tennis.
“That comes through consistency and that comes through winning matches. You just can’t click your fingers and it’s there, I am mentally up and about and ready for every match.”
Pratt, who works closely with Australians Maya Joint and Kimberly Birrell – Anisimova’s first two opponents at the US Open – observed firsthand that the world No.4, with her current mindset, is a force to be reckoned with.
“She’s enjoying, as much as she can, the lifestyle of travelling and the pressure on a day-to-day basis,” Pratt said.
“She has to be a favourite for the WTA Finals now in my opinion, especially with the conditions.”
The win at the China Open sees Anisimova rise to No.3 in the WTA Finals Race and seals her spot in the prestigious year-end event.
With eight wins and just three losses against top-10 opponents this season, the American star has well and truly arrived and could add another significant trophy to her cabinet before season’s end.
The WTA Finals begin in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 1 November.
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