“I do get flooded with the memories”: Amanda Anisimova takes a different approach to chasing Grand Slam glory
WTAFriday, 28 August 2026 at 17:47
Amanda Anisimova arrives at the US Open carrying the memory of the biggest match of her career, but she is determined not to let that memory dictate what happens next. A year after reaching her first Grand Slam final in New York, the American knows exactly what she wants — yet she is deliberately trying not to focus on it.
Anisimova came within one victory of lifting her maiden major title last year, falling to Aryna Sabalenka in the final. The experience gave her a taste of what it takes to navigate two demanding weeks at a Grand Slam, but it also left behind memories that can resurface when she returns to Flushing Meadows.
Rather than trying to erase those memories, however, the American is attempting to redirect her attention. Her approach is not about visualizing herself winning another final or obsessing over the trophy. Instead, she wants to return to the routines and details that helped her reach that stage in the first place.
That may sound counterintuitive for a player who has made winning a Grand Slam one of her biggest ambitions, but Anisimova believes focusing too heavily on the destination has never worked for her. Her goal remains enormous; her approach to achieving it has simply changed.
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Anisimova wants to leave last year's final behind
The memories of last year's run remain difficult to avoid, particularly when she returns to the tournament that produced the best Grand Slam result of her career.
“I do get flooded with the memories of the final last year and how close I was to achieving my dream," the former world No. 4 said to TODAY. "But I'm really trying to reset and come back to the little things that I need to do day in and day out and those are the things that I feel like helped me get to the final. So yeah, doing my best to stay present and mindful.”
Amanda Anisimova reached her second Grand Slam final at the 2025 US Open. She beat Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka on her way to the final, but lost to world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
That emphasis on the present has become central to Anisimova's preparation. She believes the path back to a Grand Slam final will not come from constantly thinking about what happened in the previous one, but from reproducing the small habits that allowed her to make that run.
The 24-year-old has also become increasingly interested in the psychological side of performance, something that has influenced the way she approaches goals.
“Oh my gosh, no. I mean, every time I've tried to set goals for myself or I'm hyper focusing on a goal or achievement, it never works for me and I'm really big into psychology and reading about certain things that help and a lot of psychologists have actually debunked that idea of kind of visualizing winning and how that actually doesn't serve you.”
For Anisimova, the answer is therefore not to stop dreaming about a major title, but to stop allowing that dream to consume her preparation.
Her biggest goal remains firmly in sight
There is no ambiguity about what winning a Grand Slam would mean to Anisimova. After already achieving two WTA 1000 titles, she sees a major championship as the next significant milestone in her career.
“Yeah, I mean, it would mean the world to me," she admitted. "My dreams would mostly be accomplished because that's a big goal of mine. Not the only goal I have in tennis. But that's kind of like the first step of one of the biggest goals.”
The difference now is how she intends to handle the pressure surrounding that ambition. Anisimova acknowledged that she can still have days when she feels overwhelmed or doubts her abilities, but she has learned to recognize those moments earlier and step away when necessary.
Her solution can be remarkably simple: take a break, breathe, walk and reset.
That philosophy also reflects a broader change in the player she has become. Anisimova says she now prioritizes understanding what works for her rather than simply following expectations around life on tour.
“I'd say that I try to really prioritize myself. And I think I've learned a lot about myself and what works for me and what doesn't, especially after taking a break and just overall having a lot of experience on the tour now.”
So while Anisimova returns to New York with the same Grand Slam dream, she is approaching it from a different direction. The trophy remains the destination. She simply refuses to spend the entire journey staring at it.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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