Amanda Anisimova, last year’s Wimbledon runner-up, has made a successful return to the Grand Slam, defeating qualifier Lina Gjorcheska in a 6-3, 6-2 victory to advance to the second round. The match took place on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, marking a strong start for Anisimova in the tournament.
Anisimova’s return follows her appearance in the title clash 12 months prior, where she faced a significant defeat against Iga Swiatek. Despite that previous result, the American player displayed no lingering effects, confidently overcoming her North Macedonian opponent on Court Two.
Gjorcheska, who holds the distinction of being the first player from her nation to compete in a Grand Slam main draw, attempted to extend the contest towards the end. However, Anisimova’s performance proved too strong, securing her win in 61 minutes.
Anisimova acknowledged the challenge of playing against a qualifier who had already gained match experience. She remarked, “It’s not easy playing a qualifier who has had a few matches under her belt.” She also noted that they had not faced each other before, making it a “tricky first round.”
Expressing her enthusiasm for being back at Wimbledon, Anisimova shared her positive sentiments. “I’m super excited to be back here,” she stated, adding that she was “filled with great memories” upon her arrival and was focused on carrying that positive energy forward, aiming to “enjoy each day here.”
The American player has been dealing with a wrist injury in recent weeks. Despite this, her performance against Gjorcheska indicated a positive trajectory for her return to competitive play. Her focus remains on her well-being and consistent performance.
Anisimova’s Recent Journey and Outlook
The previous summer marked a significant period for Amanda Anisimova, as she reached consecutive finals at the U.S. Open and Wimbledon. During this time, she also secured two WTA 1000 titles in Doha and Beijing, achieving a career-high ranking of world no. 4.
Anisimova reflected on her achievements, stating, “I achieved a lot that I didn’t think that I’d be able to do.” She highlighted her consistency in 2025 as a major accomplishment, noting that she started and finished the year strongly. Despite these successes, she maintains a desire for further achievements, expressing that she is “hungry for more.”
For the current season, Anisimova shared her excitement about pushing her limits and reaching new goals, such as winning a Grand Slam or improving her ranking. She began the season with a career-high ranking of world no. 3 and reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open before being defeated by fellow American Jessica Pegula.
However, her season was impacted by a wrist injury in April and May. This injury led to her losing in the third round of the French Open and withdrawing from the Berlin Open, a grass-court warm-up event for Wimbledon. Following her loss at Roland Garros, she mentioned that her wrist was feeling “not so bad after a few matches,” which she considered a positive sign.
Anisimova looks forward to playing on the grass courts of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, where Wimbledon is held. She believes the courts suit her playing style, which helps alleviate nervousness. “I really think the courts suit me well, so I never really get too nervous,” she commented. She approaches the tournament without the pressure of past achievements, stating, “I’m always excited to play there and hope I do my best, but I’ll be definitely going into them without any expectations—or [the idea that] I made the final last year, so that means I have to make the final again. It’s not like that at all.”
Her approach to her career involves focusing on daily efforts rather than outcomes beyond her control, such as wins or rankings. She prioritizes “doing the right things day in and day out to get me to where I want to go.”
Balancing Life and Professional Tennis
Amanda Anisimova’s journey in tennis includes a break she took from the sport in 2023. At that time, she cited struggles with her mental health and burnout, which had become “unbearable” at tournaments. Her priority shifted to her mental well-being, leading to her temporary hiatus.
She returned to professional tennis in early 2024, and since then, mental health and self-care have remained central to her approach. Anisimova emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between resetting and recharging. She notes that being fully prepared, both physically and mentally, for tournaments week after week is challenging.
For Anisimova, who values social connection and time at home, finding this balance is crucial, especially given the extensive travel demands of the tour. She consciously schedules breaks to return home for at least a week, allowing her to spend time with her family and maintain a routine. This personal time is essential for her well-being.
The tennis tour’s schedule often involves long periods in Europe, and Anisimova tries to incorporate a break between the clay court season, which concluded with the French Open, and the grass court season, which commenced earlier in June. She acknowledges the unpredictable nature of tour life, stating, “The tour life is so unpredictable, so there’s no reason to even plan past the week.” This unpredictability often means planning everything at the last minute.
Now at 24, Anisimova turned professional at 16. She feels she has matured significantly over the past eight years, gaining extensive experience. She views herself as a “veteran” in some ways, having participated in numerous tournaments and understanding the intricacies of the sport. She believes she is currently in a good place, possessing valuable experience while still having many years potentially left in her career.
Anisimova reflects on her younger self, wishing she had been more assertive in prioritizing her own needs rather than always agreeing to requests. She now considers whether activities align with her values, comfort level, and energy before committing. This shift represents a significant personal growth from her teenage years.
Despite experiencing two prominent losses in the Wimbledon and U.S. Open finals in 2025, joy was a significant theme for Anisimova. She described a “newfound joy,” feeling as though she had started a “new career.” This focus on joy is something she aims to carry through 2026, even with her recent injury concerns.
She attributes her positive outlook to her supportive team, with whom she enjoys spending time both on and off the court. This camaraderie is vital for her spirits and motivation. Anisimova feels she is in a strong mental space, comfortable with herself, and has developed a distinct identity. She enjoys competing in major matches against top players globally. Her next match will be against either Petra Marcinko or Sofia Kenin in the second round of Wimbledon.
Read Also
Source: thehindu.com
