"When it’s really hot, those thoughts bring you down even more and drain your energy" - Negative thoughts put to a side as Anisimova braves heat for dominant win

It is a fourth last-16 appearance at the Australian Open for Amanda Anisimova after the world number four took down Peyton Stearns 6-1, 6-4 in a match played in hellish conditions due to the unforgiving sun spiking temperatures through the roof.

Anisimova took 70 minutes to take down her fellow American opponent, coming through the first set in imperious fashion before being pushed more in the second. However, she was able to come out on top to continue her stunning Grand Slam form and break new boundaries for her.

She spoke of her delight to get through the match afterwards. "I’m really excited to be back in the round of 16 here. It’s super special. The conditions were really tough out there today, so I’m just happy to be through."

It was a very hot day in Melbourne, with temperatures rising upwards of 40 Degrees Celsius. Play even had to be suspended partway through the day with the tournaments Extreme Heat Policy being triggered by organisers. Many matches were halted, while the roofs were closed on the show courts for cooler temperatures.

Anisimova was well aware of what the temperature would be like, and prepared for such scenario. "Just staying hydrated the day before and the day of is really important," she admitted. "Ice baths help as well. We always try to prepare as best as we can."

Making the most of the breaks would be crucial to cool one's self down. "The main difference is really with water intake and using ice on court. We don’t get super long breaks, and today I felt quite rushed trying to fit everything in during the changeovers. It’s important to keep fuelling and staying calm, and not spend energy on emotions or things like that."

One of her techniques was indulging in an ice bath, something that she does on a regular basis. "Yeah, I do a lot of ice baths. I feel like they’re really good for me," she stated. "I do them before and after my matches, and I also did them after my training yesterday."

Some of the players struggled in the blistering heat, which included the reigning two-time champion Jannik Sinner who found himself 3-1 down in the third set with the score at 1-1, cramping up badly. Nevertheless, this was not on the mind of Anisimova. "No, I was really focused on my recovery, getting changed, and coming here. I didn’t have a chance to look at the scoreboard."

The risk of dragging the match deeper into the Australian day was a threat if Anisimova did not quicky secure her spot in the fourth round. Fortunately for the American, she was able to get the job done with little fuss.

"Going into the match, the one thing I really told myself was not to spend energy on frustration, negativity, or thoughts that didn’t matter—like worrying about closing the match or stressing about not finishing quickly," she explained. "When it’s really hot, those thoughts bring you down even more and drain your energy. I was trying to stay focused, do the things I wanted to do, and really focus on my serve."

The frustrations were hard to keep in when wayward shots started to appear, but she kept her cool and focused on the task at hand. "I made quite a few mistakes when I was up 5–2, so I was just trying to regroup and do what I could to close it out, because playing her was never going to be easy."

For the first time in her career, the 24-year-old has reached the fourth round on four consecutive appearances. She reached the final of the last two, failing to come out on top at the end to lift the ultimate prize. However, her ability to find her way through the opening rounds have come in crucial.

"I’ve been taking it one match at a time, but I’m super excited," she exclaimed. "It’s really special to be back in the fourth round. I was really happy after the match today to get this win. Every match has been tough, and I really want to do well here. I’m just looking forward to the next one and hopefully I can go further."

2025 was the year where she catapulted herself into the bracket of top tennis players who go into the big events as favourites. This finally comes after years as a talented prodigy looked like they would not play out the way intended. On top of the two major finals, she also won two WTA 1000 titles at each side of the year.

When asked what part of the year she had played her best question, she pondered. "That’s a tough question. You’re never really the same player—I feel like every month you’re evolving and changing," she answered.

"I had a lot of great moments last year, and when I look back at some matches or highlights, I think, wow, I played so well. Hopefully my level right now is the same, if not higher. I’ve been working really hard and trying to improve certain aspects of my game."

It is now about continuing this form and making the next step in her tennis career. "Last year was a great year with a lot of achievements, so it’s hard to top that. Hopefully I can do just as well this year, or even better."

Anisimova is a fan of pushing herself to get to the next level, and this has been specifically focused on her movement in recent times. "That’s a good question. I actually enjoy the really tough drills and pushing myself," she said. "We’ve been doing a lot of movement drills here after training—they’re not very long, but they’re intense, and I like them."

It is not an enjoyable experience in the off-season when the drills are severely ramped up. "Preseason is tougher, though, because we pack in so many hours. I do kind of dread the afternoon track session that lasts an hour and a half. But I like it because movement is something I really want to improve, and even though it’s tough, you feel really good afterwards."

Not just running, but a range of drills and techniques utilised to improve her on the court. "It depends. Sometimes with the ball, sometimes without," she voiced. "We do track work or movement drills with a medicine ball. Here, it’s been more with the tennis racket, which I prefer because it’s very realistic. It’s about getting to random balls and scrambling all over the court, which isn’t something I typically do in matches, but it does happen, and I want to be really comfortable with it."