“I’m just trying to stay here as long as possible”: Amanda Anisimova embraces her WTA Finals breakthrough with renewed confidence

Amanda Anisimova’s dream debut at the WTA Finals continues to gain momentum, as the American sealed her place in the semifinals after a thrilling three-set victory over Iga Swiatek. Playing with a mix of patience and bold aggression, Anisimova turned the match around after losing the opening set, outsmarting the world No. 2 to record her second straight win over the Polish star. With that triumph, she now stands just two wins away from the biggest title of her career.

What makes Anisimova’s run even more remarkable is her comfort in uncharted territory. While Swiatek was competing in her fifth consecutive WTA Finals, the 24-year-old was the only debutant in the draw — a player who once battled inconsistency but now seems entirely at home among the world’s elite. “I’m just trying to stay here as long as possible,” she said with a smile after the win, her words perfectly summing up her new mindset.

That phrase, half playful and half revealing, reflects how far Anisimova has come in 2025. This season, she’s built one of the most complete campaigns of her career, marked by consistency, belief, and a growing sense of purpose. Her comeback against Swiatek wasn’t just a win — it was a statement that she belongs at the top. “It’s always going to be tough against Iga,” she admitted, acknowledging the intensity of their matchup while celebrating her ability to stay calm under pressure.

For the American, the reward is clear: a place in the semifinals alongside Elena Rybakina, and a legitimate shot at finishing the season as the U.S. No. 1. The scenario depends partly on Coco Gauff’s fate in the round-robin stage, but for now, Anisimova isn’t looking too far ahead. Her focus remains on the present — enjoying the challenge, managing expectations, and proving that her late-season surge is no coincidence.

After a challenging start to her career defined by ups and downs, Anisimova’s 2025 campaign has showcased her evolution into a more grounded competitor. The world No. 4 has learned to balance intensity with composure, a transformation visible in her performance against Swiatek. She dictated play with fearless ball-striking while maintaining tactical discipline, an approach that has delivered consistent results across the year’s biggest stages.

The WTA Finals represent a new chapter for Anisimova — one where her maturity meets her natural talent. “I knew it was going to be so, so tough,” she explained, referring to the difficulty of facing top-tier opponents back-to-back. “I just really tried to do my best and stay here as long as possible.” That mentality has already paid off, with two impressive wins and a growing sense that she’s found her competitive groove again.

In 2025, Anisimova’s record speaks volumes: four titles, deep runs in nearly every major, and a top-five ranking that reflects her reliability across surfaces. Unlike previous seasons, where fatigue or nerves crept in late in the year, she’s finishing strong — something she humorously acknowledged in her Tennis Channel interview. “I’m pretty notorious for not ending the season so well,” she joked, “so hopefully this year I can do better.”

Her victory over Swiatek also underscores how her tactical awareness has matured. Using variety and pace changes to disrupt the Pole’s rhythm, Anisimova turned defense into offense, earning crucial points behind her backhand and first serve. Even as the match’s tension built, she stayed present — something she credits to better mental preparation and trust in her game plan.

Now guaranteed a semifinal berth, Anisimova can enjoy a brief moment of satisfaction — though her eyes remain firmly on the bigger prize. The semifinals will likely bring another high-intensity matchup, potentially against Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff or Jessica Pegula, depending on the results in the Steffi Graf Group. But regardless of who stands across the net, Anisimova’s confidence is peaking at the perfect time.