In a stunning reversal of one of the most one-sided results of the 2025 tennis season, Amanda Anisimova defeated Iga Swiatek, 6-7(7), 6-4, 6-2, in a winner-takes-all match at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, ending a four-year streak for the Polish star. This victory was particularly significant for Anisimova, who had suffered a devastating 6-0, 6-0 loss to Swiatek in the Wimbledon final just months earlier.

Their rivalry has defined the latter part of the season; after the historic defeat at Wimbledon, Anisimova regrouped to defeat Swiatek in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, in the quarterfinals of the US Open, setting the stage for this decisive third act at the year-end championships. Following her hard-fought victory, Anisimova paid a special tribute to her mother, revealing the crucial role her mother’s words played in her mental fortitude during the match.

“It’s so funny, my mom keeps telling me like, you know, you’ve won like so many three-set matches this year, like you’re so strong, you can do it,” Amanda Anisimova shared, as reported by The Tennis Letter. “So I was actually thinking about that because, you know, when you’re playing so many matches, you don’t even realize the stats. So, yeah, especially against Iga today, it was so, so tough. But I think I was just honestly enjoying it. And yeah, I knew it was going to be a battle. So I just told myself to enjoy the challenge. And I think I did that today.”

This public acknowledgment of her mother’s influence echoes a deeply emotional pattern for Anisimova, who, after her Wimbledon final loss, tearfully told the Centre Court crowd, “…My mom’s put in more work than I have honestly. Guys I’m so sorry… No my mom is the most selfless person I know and she’s done everything to get me to this point in my life. So thank you for being here and breaking the superstition of flying in. It’s definitely not why I lost today.”

The American’s comeback trail throughout 2025 has been one of the most compelling narratives in tennis, marking a triumphant return after she took a mental health break from the tour in 2023, citing burnout. Her resilience was on full display in Riyadh, not only in her match against Swiatek but throughout the event. Just days earlier, she staged an impressive comeback from a set and a break down to defeat fellow American Madison Keys 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, demonstrating the very three-set toughness her mother had praised.

This victory eventually eliminated Keys from the tournament and confirmed Elena Rybakina as the winner of the Serena Williams group, with the second semifinal spot coming down to the Anisimova-Swiatek showdown. Anisimova’s journey back to the top of the sport has been characterized by this newfound mental strength, a quality she consistently attributes to the unwavering support of her family, and particularly her mother.

By channeling her mother’s belief during the most challenging moments against a top rival like Swiatek, Anisimova has shown that her success is built on a foundation of familial support as much as powerful groundstrokes. However, recently she also exposed the dark reality of having early fame in the sport.

Amanda Anisimova wants the future generation of tennis to be aware

Amanda Anisimova’s current success comes from what she learned after taking a break from the sport in 2023, a time when the pressures of professional tennis were just too much to handle. The American has talked about dealing with pressure, highlighting how crucial it is to be self-aware and to have a solid support system, especially for young players who find themselves in the spotlight.

Looking back on her early success, including a semi-final appearance at the French Open at just 17, Anisimova recognizes the heavy expectations that come with being a young athlete. She said, “When you do so well at a young age, there’s obviously a lot of pressure and expectations. And a lot of new things that you’ve never experienced before. And it’s a lot for a young kid who’s not developed fully, like not even close to fully. So it’s definitely a lot.”

She really tried to handle the pressure for a long time, but it eventually led to some serious burnout and depression, turning her life on tour into something she just couldn’t keep up with. Anisimova also pointed out how well the younger players are handling their lives under pressure, saying, “And I would say that the younger girls on tour right now are doing a great job of balancing and managing that. I think the one thing that I would say that’s important is the people you surround yourself with and the guidance and the advice.”

Further revealing her mentality, she said, “I think it’s really important to let girls know, or boys, to make the right decisions for yourself and listen to yourself and not try and say yes to everything and feel like you have to do certain things. I think that’s a big killer in certain ways, is just feeling like you have to do certain things and that can really lead to burnout. So that’s definitely something that I would have done differently.”

For years, she stuck to the idea of always pushing ahead in sports, but she realized that this way of thinking just wasn’t working for her mental health anymore. She came to understand that it wasn’t selfish at all, but actually important, to focus on her own well-being, which is why she decided to take a full break in 2023. Now, with all the knowledge and experience she’s gathered, she’s passing it on to the younger players to help them handle the pressure that comes with the sport.

So, right now, Anisimova’s big win at the WTA Finals is not just a comeback for her tough journey, but it also really cements her as a player who’s managed to rebuild her game and confidence. She’s definitely ready to go for that elusive title in Riyadh.