Amanda Anisimova is enjoying a fairytale run at the moment, having brushed aside all in her path to reach the final of the Canadian Open.
In a tournament that has been exceptional for the Americans, with Emma Navarro, Peyton Stearns and Taylor Townsend all impressing, Anisimova will now face Jessica Pegula in the final, seeking to dethrone last year’s winner.
However, chatting ahead of that match to reporters, it was another star whom she instead touched upon, seeking to hand Naomi Osaka the praise that she feels is sorely deserved even if she did not enjoy a similarly mesmeric run in Toronto.
Amanda Anisimova praises Naomi Osaka
Speaking to the press after her emphatic and stunning victory over Aryna Sabalenka, Anisimova was briefly asked about Osaka, given the similarities both share.
After all, 2023 marked a period where these two stars took a break from the sport, with the American citing burnout and mental health struggles, similar to her Japanese counterpart who then went on to have a baby.
One reporter asked: ‘Naomi Osaka has had a major role in having more conversations about mental health, and having her back on the tour, what does that mean to someone like yourself who has endured some similar experiences?’
Unsurprisingly, Anisimova was full of praise for the 26-year-old, replying: ‘Yeah, I’m super happy to see her back, and it seems like she’s doing really, really well. Also, she had a baby, so I’m just so happy to see her accomplish all of that and also come back to the tour, especially at the level that she’s playing at, it’s honestly very inspiring and just amazing, as well as all the conversations that she starts and opens up.
‘Yeah, I think that we’re all very happy to have her in the WTA, and she’s like a huge part of the tennis, and, yeah, just being able to be so honest and vulnerable as she is, it’s definitely something very special, and I really look up to her on that.’
Amanda Anisimova is enjoying a fairytale return to tennis
Having won two WTA titles and become the youngest Roland-Garros semifinalist in over a decade before taking a break from tennis, it’s fair to say that Anisimova was building towards something truly great.
So, it showcases her immense bravery to take a step back, recognising things were not okay and accepting that her time would come again.
Already that seems to be paying off, having impressed during the Australian Open earlier in the year before now reaching this, her first-ever Masters 1000 event final.
The 22-year-old obviously faces a really tough task with Pegula standing in her way, but given the quality she has overcome to reach this stage, people should be fearing her.
That is, despite Anisimova admitting she was surprised by what happened in her win over Emma Navarro.
Should Anisimova maintain this kind of form, who knows the heights she might hit in 2025, with her potential seemingly more exceedingly high than ever now.
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