Amanda Anisimova, who made her name by reaching the French Open semifinals in 2019, announced on Instagram that she would be taking an indefinite mental health break. “It’s become unbearable being at tennis tournaments,” Anisimova said, “I’ve really been struggling with my mental health and burnout since the summer of 2022.”
Anisimova’s career-best result at the grass-court major was reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon last summer. However, she could not build on her success. She lost in the first round at both the 2022 US Open and the 2023 Australian Open and has not recorded a win since February. Last week, Anisimova lost in the first round of the Madrid Open to Arantxa Rus.
Ranked No. 46, Anisimova made her breakthrough as a 17-year-old at Roland Garros, defeating defending champion Simona Halep in the quarterfinals. However, she withdrew from the US Open later that summer following the death of her father, who was also her coach. She played sparingly the remainder of the season. Since then, she has had a series of other injuries and setbacks, including missing the 2021 Australian Open due to a positive COVID-19 test and suffering a broken toe last summer ahead of the US Open.
Anisimova did not give any timeline for her return. She concluded her post by thanking her fans and expressing her appreciation for their continuous support. “I will miss being out there,” she wrote.
The announcement comes amid growing awareness of the importance of mental health in sports. Athletes experience a tremendous amount of pressure to perform at their best while contending with the scrutiny of fans and the media. The COVID-19 pandemic has only added to the stress, with athletes dealing with isolation, uncertainty, and disruption to their routines.
By taking a mental health break, Anisimova is prioritizing her well-being and setting an example for other athletes. It’s a courageous decision, and one that should be applauded. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and it’s essential that athletes have the support they need to thrive both on and off the court.
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