WTA Player of the Year, No. 2: Amanda Anisimova

Anisimova's 2025, by the Numbers

• 45-16: Overall win-loss record
• 16-4: Grand Slam win-loss record (AO 2R, RG 4R, W F, USO F)
• 2: Titles (Doha, Beijing)
• 3: Runner-ups (Queen's Club, Wimbledon, US Open)
• 4: Year-end ranking

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The Story of the Season

Will Anisimova’s Wimbledon final loss to Iga Swiatek go down as the greatest—or at least the most useful—double-bagel defeat ever?

“It was a lot to experience,” the American said, with admirable understatement.

Everything about Anisimova’s reaction to that disastrous day was admirable. It began with her trophy-ceremony speech, which she turned into a public therapy session. It continued with her revenge win over Swiatek, and her second straight Slam-final appearance, at the US Open. And it led her to greater heights by year’s end: In Beijing, where she won a WTA 1000; in Riyadh, where she made the semifinals; and in the rankings, where she finished No. 4, a full 32 spots higher than in 2024.

As a teen, Anisimova already possessed some of the purest stokes and easiest power in the sport. Despite that—or maybe because of the expectations her talent generated—she also possessed some the most debilitating doubts. In 2023, doubts about her career drove her to leave the tour. When she came back, she was surer of her love for tennis, and her desire to play it. No setback, on any stage, could change that.

“I really made a point that if you put a positive mindset out there, or just try and work through things, you can have a positive outcome,” she said after Wimbledon.

The message resonated. The emotion and resilience Anisimova showed in defeat not only made her a better player, they made her a new fan favorite, too.—Steve Tignor

What's to Come in 2026?

Amanda Anisimova ranks right behind WTA No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka as a player to be feared, one who can take the racquet out of anyone’s hands with her power. And the year-end No. 4 player’s shotmaking is often even tighter and more precise than that of her main rivals. But she can get better and get over that hump between Grand Slam runner-up and champion.

Anisimova struggled at the service line during her disastrous loss to Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon final. Opponents have exploited her second serve, less due to pace (or lack thereof) than her predictability and lack of variety in spin and placement. Anisimova ranks No. 10 in the year-end Top 20 ace count (with 220), but only three players in that group hit more double faults. Anisimova won 48.8% of her second serve points—only Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva did worse.

There is room to work on her return game as well, because in the Top 10 only No. 6 Jessica Pegula won as few return points as Anisimova (they both made 45.1%).

Movement is another area of concern, because Anisimova isn’t very quick. She becomes vulnerable when an opponent can take time away, forcing her to hit on the run. The challenge is exacerbated when Anisimova grows discouraged and/or frustrated. At that point, she sometimes loses her focus, her confidence, or both. Lastly, the resurgent, introspective 24-year old would benefit greatly if she were better able to develop a Plan B when things get complicated.—Pete Bodo