Amanda Anisimova started her tennis journey with success in Flushing Meadows, when she defeated a 13-year-old Coco Gauff to win the 2017 US Open girls’ singles title. Reflecting on her early success during a press conference at the US Open on Saturday, Anisimova beamed with excitement for this year’s tournament, set to begin on Sunday.
“I always think about the junior tournament and ending my junior career on that note,” the world No. 9 said. “That was the only junior Slam I had ever won. And for it to be at the US Open was even more special.
“It’s crazy to think how far I have come since then. And also Coco, I mean, we were babies in that final, and we are doing really well now.”
Really well, indeed. Anisimova is heading into the 2025 US Open main draw carrying her first Grand Slam final since going pro in 2016. Her road to the Wimbledon final included an upset win against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
While the match didn’t swing her direction, with world No. 2 Iga Swiatek sweeping the match, 6-0, 6-0, her Wimbledon final run is an unmistakable beacon in Anisimova’s career—one that she is acutely aware of coming into the Open. But she’s focused on keeping any added pressure at bay.
“I’m just looking forward to getting started with the first day and to compete,” Anisimova said, calmly. “I’m just taking it obviously one match at a time.
“Experiencing what that final was like definitely gives me some thoughts and certain things that I can bring with me going into this tournament, especially dealing with the stress and the tension of it being a home Slam,” Anisimova said. “There is a little bit of pressure on me, and just the way that the final went, it gave me a better perspective on how I should be handling my nerves.”
2025 US Open women’s draw
She’s referencing her reaction to the difficult Wimbledon final. As the match unfolded, she became visibly upset, ultimately giving her runner-up speech in tears. But with big moments, come understandably big emotions. With some time having passed, Anisimova expressed pride in her effort.
“It was sort of like a dream come true,” Anisimova said. “Obviously, I didn’t win, and that’s always the goal. I really want to win my first Grand Slam. But obviously making the final was still really positive, and I can still take away a lot of things from it.
“I think overall it just gave me more confidence, and I can be proud of myself for reaching my first Slam final.”
That accomplishment launched her to a career-high ranking of world No. 7, her debut into the Top 10. Coming into the tournament as the eighth seed, she’ll play Australian Kimberly Birrell in the first round on Tuesday.
“I’m super excited to get started here,” Anisimova said. “I love the US Open. The energy here is unmatched, honestly.”
