"I woke up with muscle spasms in my shoulder": Amanda Anisimova's comeback nearly didn't happen prior to Pavlyuchenkova win
WTATuesday, 02 January 2024 at 01:00
Amanda
Anisimova secured a notable victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, defeating
her 7-5, 6-4 in the 2024 ASB Classic. This marked Anisimova's first match in
nine months after taking a hiatus from the Tour. The American faced challenges
in 2023 due to injuries and a lack of consistency, prompting her to take a
break for her mental health.
Despite the
extended absence from competition, Anisimova clinched an impressive win against
the Russian, who was a finalist in the 2021 Australian Open. The 22-year-old
athlete revealed in the on-court interview that she almost didn't play due to
physical discomfort in her shoulder earlier in the day.
Former
world No. 21 is hopeful that the 2023 season will propel her back into the
higher echelons of the rankings. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to
commence her season in Brisbane, stating, "I’m so happy to be here. I love
this tournament. It’s so nice to start the year out here."
Read also
Anisimova physical issues before debut
Anisimova
expressed her happiness after the victory, particularly for being available to
compete: “I knew that it was gonna be a really tough match, playing against
her, and I’m just happy that I was able to pull off the win and played some
good tennis,” the former French Open semifinalist said.
“Honestly,
in the morning I woke up with muscle spasms in my shoulder. I didn’t think I’d
be able to play today. I was just so upset, and I have the wildcard for this
tournament, so I was just like ‘I really want to play for myself today,’ but
also for the tournament,” she added.
“I was
really appreciative of them giving me the opportunity, so I was really happy
that I was even able to play because until the last second I wasn’t sure. I’m
just proud of myself for coming out here & really pushing myself,”
Anisimova concluded.
Her next
match will be against the 5th seed Marie Bouzkova (world No. 35), who defeated
Magdalena Frech in the first round by 6-0, 3-6, 6-4. Anisimova aims to continue
gaining match practice before her participation in the Australian Open. Despite
being ranked world No. 338, the American gained entry to the main draw thanks
to her protected ranking.
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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