Amanda Anisimova pulls out of Charleston Open, says “difficult decision” after Miami setback

Amanda Anisimova has withdrawn from the 2026 Charleston Open, where she had been set to compete as the No. 2 seed, citing an injury sustained during the Miami Open. The World No. 6 confirmed the decision through a personal statement, opting to prioritise recovery at the start of the clay-court swing after a physically demanding Sunshine Double.

The American had been due to return to Charleston as one of the tournament’s leading contenders, following a semi-final run at the event in 2025. That campaign ended prematurely with a retirement against Sofia Kenin, already hinting at physical concerns in South Carolina, and her latest withdrawal reinforces a pattern of interruptions around this stage of the season.

Her absence alters the dynamics of the WTA 500 event, removing one of the highest-ranked players in the draw and a proven performer on clay. It also extends a relatively subdued stretch in recent weeks, with Anisimova exiting both Indian Wells and Miami in the round of 16, limiting momentum ahead of a critical phase in the calendar.

Despite those results, her broader 2026 campaign has remained competitive. Semi-final appearances in Dubai and a quarter-final run at the Australian Open have underpinned her rise to World No. 6, confirming consistency at the top level even as injuries and scheduling adjustments begin to shape her trajectory.

Anisimova’s withdrawal comes at a pivotal moment in the transition from hard courts to clay, a surface that has historically played a role in her development. One of her four career titles came on clay, when she won her maiden WTA trophy in Bogotá in 2019 at just 17, signalling early adaptability across surfaces.

Her decision to step away from Charleston reflects a calculated approach rather than a reactive one, particularly given the timing within the season. With the Madrid Open beginning on April 20, Anisimova now has a defined window to recover and recalibrate before returning as the No. 6 seed at one of the most significant clay-court events outside Roland Garros.

“I’m really sorry to have to miss this year’s Charleston Open,” Anisimova wrote in an statement. “I picked up an injury at the Miami Open and after taking medical advice, I’ve made the difficult decision to withdraw and focus on my recovery. I’ve always loved playing in front of the fans in Charleston, the support there means so much to me. I hope to be back and see you all next year.”

Her recent results in the Sunshine Double further contextualise the decision. Round-of-16 exits in both Indian Wells and Miami—falling to Victoria Mboko and Belinda Bencic respectively—highlighted competitive performances without deep runs, reducing immediate ranking pressure while increasing the incentive to preserve physical condition for the longer clay stretch.

The withdrawal also arrives amid broader changes in Anisimova’s team, following her recent split with coach Rick Vleeshouwers. The Dutch coach had overseen a significant phase in her resurgence, beginning in 2024 and culminating in multiple landmark results across the following season.

Under his guidance, Anisimova reached her first WTA 1000 final in Cincinnati, later securing a title in Doha and building consistency across the biggest stages. Her development was further reflected in deep Grand Slam runs, including a Wimbledon final appearance and a return to the latter stages of the US Open, reinforcing her status among the tour’s leading players.

That progression carried into the WTA Finals, where she advanced from a competitive round-robin group before exiting in the semi-finals. The combination of results established her as a consistent presence at the top of the rankings, but the recent coaching split introduces a new variable at a moment where stability is typically prioritised.

Her immediate focus, however, remains on recovery and preparation. With several weeks before Madrid, Anisimova retains sufficient time to reset physically and tactically, positioning herself to re-enter the clay swing with minimal long-term disruption to her season objectives.