Amanda Anisimova was asked, moments after the biggest win of her life, if she ever thought she’d make it back here.
The American women’s tennis star had stepped away from the sport in 2023, citing mental health reasons and burnout.
After her comeback in 2024, she didn’t even make it out of qualifiers at Wimbledon.
But there she was on Thursday, on Centre Court, doing a post-win interview following the Wimbledon semifinal.
Yes, Anisimova was into the Wimbledon final. And the 23-year old was honest: “No, if you had told me I’d be in the Wimbledon final, I wouldn’t have believed you.”
Believe it.
The New Jersey-born, Miami-raised, power-hitting right-hander upset the No. 1 player in the world, Aryna Sabalenka.
Anisimova won the first set, dropped the second but then stormed to victory in a fantastic third.
Both competitors played an incredible, powerful semifinal.
The ESPN announcers wondered if Anisimova would have the fitness to stay with the world No. 1 in the third set. Man, did she ever.
Power smashes, and even a couple drop shots that aren’t usually in her repertoire, got the job done.
What a moment, and it isn’t done yet.
Anisimova will play in the Wimbledon final a year after not even making it out of qualifiers. She might as well go and win the whole dang thing.
MORE: Everything to know about Amanda Anisimova
