Amanda Anisimova defied expectations at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships.
She entered the grass court Grand Slam in good form after reaching the Queen’s Club final and the quarter-finals in Berlin.
But the American has progressed further than most thought at Wimbledon and she is now just two sets away from lifting the coveted Venus Rosewater dish on Centre Court.
One person who has been very impressed is Andy Roddick, who reached the Wimbledon final on three occasions during his career.
Andy Roddick thinks Amanda Anisimova now enjoys tennis much more than earlier in her career
Anisimova has shown her quality throughout the 2025 season, starting with her WTA Qatar Open victory in February.
She also reached the Charleston Open semi-finals and last 16 at Roland Garros, where she was beaten by Aryna Sabalenka.
However, the 23-year-old gained some revenge as Anisimova defeated Sabalenka in three sets to reach the first Wimbledon final of her career.
Her fellow American Roddick has been very impressed with Anisimova’s run to the Wimbledon final, and he thinks her renewed joy and passion for the game has helped her achieve this feat.
“The biggest thing for me was four or five years ago, maybe when Anisimova didn’t enjoy the game as much, I do not remember these hustle situations, these one more ball situations, mixing it up,” Roddick said via his ‘Served’ podcast.
“It just didn’t seem like she was enjoying the fight out there. I don’t know if that self corrects if she did not step away and get perspective and choose the game of tennis again. Anisimova has chosen this second version of her tennis life and it shows when she plays.
“Maybe it won’t show all the time and I am sure there are going to be ebbs and flows but I don’t know if she handles it this well without being honest with herself and how she saw in the mirror and taking that time away. So credit to her, it was absolutely amazing.”
Andy Roddick thinks Iga Swiatek is the favourite to win the Wimbledon final
Anisimova has beaten the world number one to reach the final, but it does not get any easier for her.
Anisimova’s opponent in Saturday’s final is Iga Swiatek, who stormed through the draw to reach the first Wimbledon final of her career.
The five-time Grand Slam champion and Anisimova have yet to face one another on the WTA Tour, which adds another interesting component to this championship match.
Both players will give their all to claim their first Wimbledon title and Roddick thinks Swiatek is the favourite to seal victory.
“As we project forward I think Iga has to be the favourite but Anisimova has just been stepping up,” Roddick said. “It has been so fun to watch. She has to serve well again and get the first strike in.
“Sabalenka’s power is different. She can take it inside the court but Swiatek is more like a mosquito. She is on you quicker than a bee who circles you and the bite is harder. Iga is just taking time away.
“She is seeing the ball quicker than everyone else and making decisions and lightning speed. She is beating really, really, really good players badly. She rolled through Collins, rolled through Samsonova.
“That second set was tight and could have been a lot worse. But to beat Bencic 2 and 0 on grass, these are real scorelines. These are scorelines you see in junior tennis.”
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