Amanda Anisimova capped a remarkable run by claiming the penultimate WTA 1000 title of the year in Beijing, defeating Linda Noskova 6-0, 2-6, 6-2. However, the story of her resurgence is far more complex than it appears from the outside. After losing two Grand Slam finals this year, she rebounded brilliantly, surpassing Coco Gauff to claim No. 3 in the Race to the WTA Finals. Yet just as momentum surged, calamity struck: Anisimova’s injury forced her withdrawal from Wuhan.

Amanda Anisimova will not compete at the Wuhan Open, withdrawing before her scheduled debut match. The World No. 4 had been drawn to face Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the first round, but her exit from the tournament was officially confirmed on Monday. After a grueling run in Beijing, where she overcame six matches in nine days against formidable opponents like Karolina Muchova, Jasmine Paolini, and Coco Gauff, Anisimova cited discomfort in her left calf as the reason for stepping back, prioritizing rest and recovery ahead of the final challenges of the year.

Anisimova’s withdrawal opens the door for 17-year-old Lucky Loser Iva Jovic, who lost in the second qualifying round to Varvara Gracheva but will now enter the Wuhan main draw. 

The American’s journey in Beijing had been a testament to sheer grit and perseverance. Shortly after the US Open, Anisimova had a wisdom tooth extraction, and during the China Open, she began feeling persistent pain in her foot and calf. Despite this, she fought through every round.

Her third-round clash with Shuai Zhang was a marathon, with Anisimova prevailing in a 13-11 tiebreak. While three of her next four matches went the distance, the exception being her commanding 6-1, 6-2 semifinal victory over Coco Gauff. The physical toll was evident, but she pressed on, demonstrating mental toughness. “I was having pain in my foot and in my calf more in the third round,” Anisimova told reporters after the China Open final. “I think it was obvious in one of the matches where I was in pain. I was just hurting all day when I was walking. I’m still having a bit of pain, but it’s nothing serious. It’s just annoying aches and pains. The good thing at the end of the day is it’s nothing that would limit me or prevent me from keeping playing for the rest of the season.”

Looking ahead, Anisimova is still scheduled to compete at the Ningbo Open next week, as she eyes her first appearance at the WTA Finals. Despite her latest withdrawal, ever wondered how consecutive Grand Slam final losses can be redeemed with a Masters title in China? Amanda Anisimova shows the answer, hinting at a cryptic transformation after making American history at the China Open.

Anisimova signals transformation after the US Open heartbreak

Amanda Anisimova exploded onto the Beijing stage, conquering the China Open with fearless power and relentless grit. Despite consecutive Grand Slam final losses, the American overcame the rising Czech star in a gripping 1-hour and 46-minute battle. Yet, the real story lay in what transformed after the heartbreak.

“I feel like after the US Open, I tried to figure out what to improve, and there were certain things I was trying to change about my game, and I was going to test them out here,” she said after the final, her voice brimming with the conviction of someone who had rebuilt herself brick by brick.

This victory etched her name into an elite circle. Anisimova now stands as just the fourth player born since 2000 to claim multiple WTA 1000 titles in a single season, joining Bianca Andreescu (2019), Iga Świątek (2022 and 2024), and Mirra Andreeva in (2025), a testament to her rapid rise and growing dominance on the tour. More so, with her win in Beijing, Anisimova became just the third American to capture the China Open women’s singles title, joining Serena Williams (2004 and 2013) and Coco Gauff (2024).

Reflecting on her achievement, she added, “So obviously, everything I’m doing is working in my favor. And yeah, I am just always trying to improve and learn more about how I can be better, and yeah, this has been an incredible few weeks for me, and I felt like I learned a lot about myself, and hopefully I can keep going.”

Now, with her withdrawal from the Wuhan Open due to injury, the spotlight shifts to anticipation. Fans eagerly await her return, hoping for a stunning comeback as she continues her remarkable journey.