The future is bright for Amanda Anisimova

By Carine06 from UK - Amanda Anisimova, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76383538

Amanda Anisimova. Remember the name. Tennis could have a new hero to take over the big stage very soon. She is gaining many similarities to the great Maria Sharapova, and Anisimova very well could be on her way to becoming one of the greats herself.

Both being of Russian descent and seeing major successes in their careers, with Anisimova being the first player born in the 2000s to reach a major semifinal, their careers could be a mirror of each other. At just 17 years old, Anisimova became the youngest American to win a title after her win in Bogota in April of 2019. The tennis community is always searching for their next star, and Anisimova may be the one to step up to the test.

By Sportsfan77777 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=71378228

With the retirement of Maria Sharapova, the door is wide open for Anisimova to take the crown. However, It has not been a seamless road to success for Anisimova. Her lifelong coach and father, Konstantin Anisimova, passed away from a heart attack two days before his 53rd birthday. The effect it had on Amanda was tremendous, but tennis is what helped her cope with her loss. “The only thing that has helped me is just playing tennis and being on the court. That’s what makes me happy, and I know it would make him happy, so that’s the way it is.”