"There is probably a lot of players who need to take a break who don't": Gauff believes Anisimova should be supported in tennis break
WTA
Coco Gauff
expressed her opinion that everyone should support Amanda Anisimova during her
tennis break.
The recent
champion of the Cincinnati Open is about to make her debut at the US Open,
where she starts as the sixth seed and one of the favorites after winning her
first WTA 500 and WTA 1000 titles in the past weeks in the US Open Series
tournaments.
The
19-year-old young tennis player talked about Amanda Anisimova's situation, who,
at the age of 21, decided to take a break for mental health reasons in May of
this year. Gauff has previously shown concern about mental health and shared
her surprise when she learned about her fellow American's decision to take a
break.
“I’d say
when she announced the initial break, I was surprised. I don't think anybody
was expecting it or anything. But I can understand really. There is probably a
lot of players who need to take a break who don't take a break,”
Read also
“She had a
lot to deal with with the loss of her dad. I could be wrong, but I'm pretty
sure he started her in tennis. I was really surprised personally how she was
able to be able to continue to play. I think that's a thing people forget, that
she's human, athletes are human,” Gauff added.
“Everybody
needs a break from everything. Maybe college has always been one of her
aspirations, I don't know. I think as long as she's happy & healthy, I
think everybody should support her decision.”
Gauff and
Anisimova have faced each other twice on the WTA tour, with their head-to-head
record tied at 1-1. They also met in the final of the US Open Juniors in 2017,
where Anisimova, who was 16 years old at the time, secured a dominant victory
over the then 13-year-old Gauff with a score of 6-2, 6-0.
Now, Coco
Gauff is one of the primary hopes for her country to clinch the US Open title
and will begin the tournament against a player from the qualifying rounds.
Gauff aims to surpass her best performance at Flushing Meadows, where she
reached the quarterfinals in 2022 but was defeated by Caroline Garcia.
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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