“That could’ve been career-ending, that Wimbledon final" - Former major doubles champion in awe of Anisimova's mentality after turbulent journey to the top

22-time doubles Grand Slam champion Todd Woodbridge believes Amanda Anisimova has a great chance in winning the Australian Open title as well as complimenting her after coming back from some serious lows in her tennis career.

The American had an unexpected but fantastic year on the WTA Circuit. She defied the odds numerous times to reach major finals and win huge titles, finally living up to the potential placed on her shoulders years ago as a highly touted youngster.

However, things would not go to plan when breaking into the tennis scene. In 2023, she announced an extended break from the sport due to burnout and mental health concerns. She would return at the start of 2024 far down the rankings but would climb up the order, making headlines after reaching the Canadian Open final. In 2025, she got over the line to clinch her first WTA 1000 title in the Qatar Open. It followed a disappointing Australian Open where she was dumped out by former US Open champion Emma Raducanu.

“That’s definitely on the cards,” Woodbridge said in the latest episode of The Tennis. Anisimova is currently the world number four, and has had recent experience in going deep into major tournaments, reaching the finals of both Wimbledon and US Open. Whilst she suffered defeats in both of them matches, it was a brace of statement runs that firmly slotted her amongst the world's best.

This has seen been rewarded as the WTA most improved player in 2025. “I’ve got to go with Anisimova, she needs a category,” the Aussie stated, agreeing with the choice. “She needs to win something."

“[Lost in the] semis of the French Open to Ash Barty, and her life changed dramatically off the court, and that’s really rough. Finds a way to get back to being a fantastic player again, gets out there. Wimbledon, amazing tournament, final, one that you’ll never want to remember for her."

That Wimbledon final was a painful experience for the American. She happened to run into a ruthless Iga Swiatek who was electric at SW19 for those two weeks. The Pole won every game available to win the title and her sixth Grand Slam. It was desperately tough to swallow for Anisimova, who would then show off her incredible mentality by defeating Swiatek enroute to the US Open final a couple of months later. “The mental effort to come back and play so well at the US Open, I don’t think anyone can appreciate that," Woodbridge acknowledged. “That could’ve been career-ending, that Wimbledon final. It was for Eugenie Bouchard; she never got near the heights again. So Anisimova, her whole journey to this point, she deserves any award you can give her.”

World number one Aryna Sabalenka got in her way at Flushing Meadows of a maiden Grand Slam triumph. She will not have to wait long to try again, however. She has made it to the fourth round on three separate occasions in the Australian Open, with the last coming on her return in 2024.

The American is looking sharp as she competes in a brace of exhibition events, already looking towards 2026. She competed at both A Racquet at The Rock in New Jersey and the Miami Invitational. In the latter, she picked up a first and long-awaited win over Jessica Pegula, showing that she is in the shape to beat the top players in the world. This will be put to the test at the Brisbane International being played from January 5-11. The likes of Sabalenka, Pegula, Elena Rybakina, Madison Keys and Mirra Andreeva will hunt for the title ahead of the Australian Open, kicking off from January 18 - February 1.