The hard story of Amanda Anisimova, Nadia Podoroska’s rival in the round of 16 of the Australian Open

The start of the 2024 season, with the Australian Open As the main event, it marked the return to the circuit of several players who for various reasons had temporarily hung up their rackets. Between them, Amanda Anisimovathe rival of Nadia Podoroska in the Oceanic Grand Slam. The 22-year-old American, who announced an indefinite hiatus in May 2023 (which ultimately lasted just over a year) to recover from her mental health issues, is playing her first “big” match in Melbourne since her return. And after beating the Russian on her debut Liudmila SamsonovaHe will now seek a place in the third round against Rosario.

“I feel much fresher. I enjoy training and every minute on the pitch. Even when I lose, I like the challenge. And I’m happy. I was very exhausted and it wasn’t a pleasant feeling. Being able to reset myself was very nice and very positive for me,” he commented after his debut in the tournament.

While away from the circuit, Anisimova focused on advancing her university studies and found art as an escape and a way to lend a hand to causes important to her.

The New Jersey native had a great junior career: she reached No. 2 in the rankings ITF of that category and was crowned champion in the US Open in 2017. And he burst onto the professional circuit making a lot of noise in 2019, when just 17 years and months after winning his first title, in Bogotá, he reached the semi-finals of Roland Garrosafter surprising the Romanian Simona Halep, reigning champion, in the quarter-finals. She was the youngest player to reach the top four in a Slam since 2006.

After his stay in Paris, expectations for his future grew and many began to highlight his enormous potential. Before the end of that season, the American was on the verge of breaking into the top 20 – she reached 21st place, her best position, in October – and she suffered a major blow. Constantinehis father and coach, died of cardiac arrest at the age of 52.

“It’s the hardest thing I’ve had to experience. The only thing that helps me is playing tennis. That’s what makes me happy and I know it would make him happy too,” she commented in mid-2020 in a chat with The New York Timesjust before reaching the quarters of Wimbledon.

But the pressures and demands of the circuit burned his mind and ended up turning the sport he loved so much into an ordeal.

“I have been struggling with my mental health and fatigue since the summer of 2022. Today, participating in tournaments is unbearable. Right now, my priority is my mental well-being and taking a break for some time,” he wrote in a post on her social networks in May 2023, after being eliminated in the first round WTA 1000 Madrid.

A few weeks later, he commented: “Stepping away from the circuit made me realize how much work, sweat, tears and pain I have experienced for this sport.”

Anisimova went four months without touching a racket. At that time she was attending the Nova Southeastern University From Floridawhere he continued his studies for a bachelor’s degree in business science with a specialization in psychology, which he began online in 2020 and hopes to complete remotely in Indiana University in 2025.

Additionally, he volunteered, spent a lot of time with his family and friends, traveled and saw new places, and celebrated his first birthday away from a tennis court for the first time in a long time. And she started painting, a hobby that has become a special project, which she is excited to continue.

“I started when I wasn’t very well mentally. I always liked art, so I bought canvases and paints and thought I’d give it a try for fun. Then it became something I did every week and it stayed that way. I needed to “I found things I liked to do on my own, aside from spending time with people. It was a nice mental break to get away from my phone and everything for a few hours. I had a great time,” she told the magazine sometime. Months ago. WTA.

He added: “I wanted to do something bigger than just sharing it on social media or giving it away to friends. So I created a website to sell my paintings and help some charities I care about a lot. It was a great feeling knowing I was doing something.” “while I was away from tennis, which was a big part of my identity. I wanted to see what made me feel good as a person.”

His paintings were even exhibited in a gallery in New York. And a portion of the profits from sales went to organizations working for mental health, against child abuse and world hunger.

On his web page “Art for hope” (www.for-a-cause.com), Anisimova wrote: “I believe everyone deserves to have access to resources and support, regardless of their background or circumstances. (…) Mental health is a crucial component of general health well-being. However, it is often stigmatized or overlooked.”

“In my free time I will continue to paint. I can’t wait to get back to it because I have some things in mind that I want to put into art when I get home, so I can put more paintings on the page, because they are sold out,” he told Melbourne.

After enjoying this new life for several months, Anisimova picked up her racket again in September and played an official tournament again the first week of January. He was inside Aucklandwhere he defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on debut and then fell Maria Bouskovafifth favourite.

“My plan was to start training in September. When that month came, I felt good and ready to start. I started and realized I was enjoying it. And then I decided to continue,” she said.

“It was all there, it was like I really hadn’t stopped training. I was very happy to see that my shots and my game were still there. But I had to get back into shape, because I’m human and obviously that part disappears and you have to rebuild it “, he added. “The hardest thing was finding a good balance between when to push harder and when to be cautious to avoid injuries. I really wanted to come to Australia, but I also felt I was healthy and could compete.”

Relegated to 442nd place in the ranking (it was 46th when it stopped), it entered the Australian Open with a protected ranking and will now clash with Podoroska for a place in the third round. But beyond her chances of continuing to advance in the “big” oceanic draw, where she reached the fourth round in 2019 and 2022, Anisimova knows that today the most important thing happens elsewhere.

“It was nice to take a break from the chaotic lifestyle of a tennis player and re-establish myself as a human being. I found a lot of energy and happiness again. I slowed down my life and it was something I really needed. I grew and matured a lot in the final year and I know how I want to prepare, train and approach my career,” he commented.

And she assures: “I feel really lucky to be able to play a Grand Slam again, especially the Australian Open, it’s like my second home, after the US Open. I’m so excited to be back and happy with the victory in my debut. Whatever whatever happens in the next rounds, win or lose, I’ll enjoy it.”