“Making it to the final is obviously really special, but it would have been a dream come true to make it all the way,” said a dejected Amanda Anisimova last month after missing out on a second Grand Slam win at the US Open. However, the 24-year-old vowed to come back stronger. “I hope I can keep working really hard to give myself more opportunities to be in more and more finals.” Less than a month later, Anisimova delivered on her words, clinching her second 1000 in 2025 title, last week. Her victory has made her one of the biggest threats to the top names in women’s tennis, such as Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and also compatriot Coco Gauff.

During an episode of the Nothing Major podcast, dated October 7, ex-ATP pros John Isner, Jack Sock, Sam Querrey, and Steve Johnson were discussing tennis updates from various recent tournaments. When the subject of Anisimova came up, Querrey was effusive. She recently dethroned her compatriot and two-time Grand Slam champion, Gauff from the third spot in the rankings. Anisimova dismantled her in the semis, at the China Open, before winning the final against Linda Noskova. Querrey noted, “Sometimes I watch her play and I think she is the best player in the world.”

Continuing further, Querrey went on to make a big prediction for Anisimova. “I know she is like the third best. But there’s a lot of times when I am watching her the last few months, I am like, the eye test tells me, like, she is No. 1,” he added. “There is a good chance she gets there (No.1) in the next 12 months if she keeps playing how she is playing.”

Anisimova is the only player this season who has defeated all three top-ranked WTA stars. At Wimbledon, she bested World No.1 Sabalenka during the semis. Then at the US Open, she exacted revenge on World No.2 Swiatek, after the Pole double bageled her at the Wimbledon final. She beat her in the quarterfinal before dominating Gauff (then No.3) in the the China Open semifinal.

Anisimova has become a serious rankings threat after overtaking Gauff to become the new World No.3. Although the official list shows her on the fourth position, she is above Gauff in the live rankings. Gauff now has 5,574 ranking points. Anisimova, on the other hand, has reached 5,908 ranking points, though is a ways behind Iga Swiatek in second who has 8,553 points to her name.

But just as she was peaking, however, Anisimova recently faced an injury setback. Especially ahead of the WTA Finals, in Riyadh, where she has qualified for the first time.

Amanda Anisimova’s smooth 2025 journey faces unexpected setback

Following her historic China Open victory, Amanda Anisimova was supposed to compete at the Wuhan Open. It is another WTA 1000 event, after Beijing, as part of the Asian swing. However, she shared a heartbreaking message during the post-match conference in Beijing. “I was having pain in my foot and in my calf more into the third round,” she revealed. “I think it was obvious in one of the matches where I was in pain.”

Anisimova continued, “I was just hurting all day when I was walking. I’m still having a bit of pain, but it’s nothing series. It’s just annoying aches and pains.” reported WTA’s website on October 6.

But there is a silver lining too. She has assured that her injury is not too serious. And that it won’t “limit me or prevent me to keep playing for the rest of the season.” Hopefully, Anisimova will be able to resume action on time, going into the WTA Finals. She confirmed her spot for the year-end tournament after having an impressive run in Beijing last week.

As of now, Amanda Anisimova is expected to step back on the court sooner than later. Next week, she will be seen at the Ningbo Open. She would like to make a deep impact there in order to gain winning momentum ahead of her WTA Finals debut.