Anisimova announces a break from tennis for the time being

American Amanda Anisimova announced on Friday that Shell will take a break from tennis for the time being, citing exhaustion and concern for her mental health.

“I’ve been really struggling with my mental health and burnout since the summer of 2022,” the former world number 21 wrote on Instagram. Being at tennis tournaments has become unbearable. At this point, my priority is my mental well-being and taking a break for a while. I’ve worked as hard as I could to get through it.”

The 2017 junior US Open champion, Anisimova, now 21, broke onto the Hologic WTA Tour in a heartbreaking way at Roland Garros four years ago, where she toppled reigning champion Simona Halep to reach the semifinals at 17 – the youngest woman ever. to get that far in a major since 2006.

But later that year, just before the US Open, he lost his father and longtime coach Konstantin, who died at age 52 of a heart attack.

This is obviously the hardest thing I’ve had to go through and the hardest thing that’s ever happened to me, and I don’t really talk about it with anyone. he told the New York Times in 2020. The only thing that has helped me is playing tennis and being on the court. It makes me happy, and I know it would make him happy, so there it is.

Anisimova also reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon 12 months ago, upsetting Coco Gauff on Center Court en route. She also reached the fourth round of the Australian Open twice, defeating defending champion Naomi Osaka at the 2022 event in Melbourne.

Anisimova, winner of two WTA singles titles, did not give a timetable for her return but thanked fans for their support. Anisimova, currently ranked 46th, lost to Arantxa Rus in the first round of the Mutua Madrid Open last week. He was 3-8 on the season at the time of his announcement.

“I miss being there and appreciate all the continued support,” Anisimova wrote.