Bill Simons
It’s said that our sport, and, for that matter, our world, can crush tennis players.
But about three years ago that certainly didn’t seem to be the case as the gifted, 5’ 11” powerful 17-year-old Jersey-born Amanda Anisimova was taking the world by storm. She scored wins over Petra Kvitova and Aryna Sabalenka, and, despite being ranked only No. 51, downed the defending French Open champ Simona Halep to become the youngest American woman to reach a Slam semi since Venus Williams in 1997.
Like many young phenoms these days (Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Denis Shapovalov and Sofia Kenin), Amanda is of Russian heritage. In 2019, with her father and coach Konstantin by her side she strode out onto court Suzanne Lenglen. Surprisingly up a set and a break against world No. 8 Ash Barty, she seemed bound for the final. But on that gray afternoon, the far more savvy Aussie dipped into her ample tool box and soon dismissed Anisimova. Oh, well – the Floridian had broken through. The future was bright.
But then, fate struck. At just 52, her dad suffered a fatal heart attack. Only a month later Amanda bravely came back on court. Overwhelmed, she didn’t get the importance of pausing. Grieving takes time. She told the New York Times, “I think definitely that’s the reason why I had a couple of tough years playing tennis…I think I was just trying to ignore and push it away and just telling everybody that everything was fine. And I think it really wasn’t, and I didn’t take enough time for myself to try and recover…I felt like everyone wanted me to go on court, and I don’t know if I was fully there for that period. Now…I’m starting to realize things and I see a lot clearer…I’ve grown a lot…It was just a very confusing time for me…I was just kind of lost.”
Then she suffered injuries. There were coaching changes, ranking dips and an ill-timed case of COVID. Since her run to the 2019 French Open semis, she only once reached the third round of a Slam.
Still, Amanda endured. After all, she had many assets. It’s meaningless, but fun, that she has the same tennis-friendly initials as Arthur Ashe and Andre Agassi. More to the point, her serve is a headache for foes. Ask Naomi Osaka, whom she just beat. And her deep groundies are pure weapons that bring to mind the best of ball strikers –Capriati, Davenport and Sharapova. Still, in late 2021, she was just ranked No. 60. So she brought coaching whiz Darren Cahill, who’d done wonders with Simona Halep and many others, onto her team.
Just before the Aussie Open, she beat Daria Kasatkina and Sorana Cirstea en route to winning the Melbourne Summer Set title. Barely taking a breath, she began her run through the Australian Open draw. After losing her opening set against Arianne Hartono, she beat the Dutch No. 3 and went on to dismiss Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic, the No. 22 seed, in straight sets.
Cahill noted that he wanted her to start believing in the big moments. She would certainly have to on Friday night, when she faced the defending Aussie Open champion Osaka, who’s won four majors and who many still consider to be the best hard court player in town.
Osaka, facing Amanda for the first time, was surprised by the Floridian’s pace and noted that Amanda’s returns were amazing. “It almost felt like I was fighting for my life out there…It was jarring to be on my back foot.” Osaka felt she had to make every first serve because, “Otherwise she will do something.”
In a tight battle of dueling powerhouses, Osaka managed to gain two match points. Anisimova admitted she had goosebumps, but she took Cahill’s advice: relax, stay calm, you don’t have to play perfectly, believe in the big moments. Anisimova adeptly battled back and in the third-set tiebreak sealed matters when she hit her 11th ace. Knowing a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 win was hers, Anisimova dropped her racquet to the court.
While Osaka was disappointed with her loss, she said it was good that another star is emerging and it showed the growth of the game.
Sunday in Melbourne, Amanda will face a huge challenge: a rematch with No. 1 Barty on the Aussie’s home court. With adoring fans shouting loud, Barty will be under nerve-wracking pressure – an Aussie woman hasn’t won the AO in 44 years. Of course Ash has an arsenal of weapons to call on. But Amanda has strengths, too. She’s bold, she’s strong and she knows how to “ova”-come.”
WHY WE LOVE NAOMI: A more relaxed and mature Osaka may have lost to Anisimova on court, but off court she quietly impressed. The 24-year-old conceded, “I’m not God. I can’t win every match.” She added that no matter whether she won or lost, as long as she learned from a match it was good. “I’m proud of myself…this for me is the biggest step, even though I lost.” Then she revealed, “I’ve been kind of meditating-ish…I’ve been writing in a journal…The meditation has definitely helped me out a lot. I think just going within myself and trying to figure out…my goals…For me the most important thing is feeling like I accomplished something in the day, whether it be really small or really big.”
Quotebook
“If you don’t hear an out call, it’s in because it’s in!” – An exasperated chair umpire to a raucous Australian Open crowd
“Kyrgios can’t argue with linesmen cause there ain’t any.” – AO Radio
“Kyrgios doesn’t need a linesman to make a fuss.” – Cliff Drysdale
“At his age I didn’t even have an ATP point.” – Matteo Berrettini, after defeating 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz
“She’s been one tough out.” – Pam Shriver on Danielle Collins who is into the fourth round after downing the Danish teen Clara Tauson
“You know, when you have a marathon runner on your coaching team you relish getting into a five-setter.” – Brad Gilbert on Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
“It’s throw up and whack.” – Broadcaster Candy Reid on Nick Kyrgios’ explosive serve
FAMILIAL DIALOGUES: When Vika Azarenka came into her press conference with her son Leo on her lap, a reporter asked Leo, “How did mummy play today?” The five year old replied, “Awesome.”…Mary Joe Fernandez told her son Nicholas Godsick that in tiebreaks he should just focus on the first five points. She was then asked, “Does he listen?” “No,” replied Mary Joe.
REMAINING AMERICANS: Despite Serena’s absence and early losses by Sofia Kenin and Sloane Stephens, there are four American women who are through to the fourth round: Madison Keys, Amanda Anisimova, Jessica Pegula and Danielle Collins. Boosters of American tennis were hoping for a deep run by US men, but Jenson Brooksby caught COVID before the Aussie Open and Tennys Sandgren chose not to come. Yet, for the first time since 2004, four US players under 25 advanced to the third round: Seb Korda, 21, and Maxime Cressy, Taylor Fritz and Reilly Opelka, all of whom are 24. But Brandon Nakashima ran into Matteo Berrettini, Tommy Paul fell to Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic, Mackie McDonald lost to Aslan Karatsev and Seb Korda stalled in the heat against Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta. Now the surprisingly successful Maxime Cressy has beaten back Aussie Chris O’Connell in four sets to reach the fourth round. Similarly, Taylor Fritz prevailed in his marathon five-set battle with the tiring veteran Roberto Bautista Augut. The Californian, who had been 0-7 in the third round at Slams, celebrated his first advance to the fourth round. He next faces Stefanos Tsitsipas.
THE SELF-REALIZATION OF VIKA AZARENKA: The increasingly thoughtful veteran Victoria Azarenka is not only drawing acclaim for reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time since 2016 and being the No. 1 ranked mother in the WTA. Her insights are also drawing attention. Sunglasses in place and with her yawning five-year-old Leo on her lap, she spoke to ESPN about the considerable psychological changes in her life: “It took a little bit of patience and a little bit of ego damage. I’ve done a lot of work on myself, and it’s an amazing process.” Vika said she wants to continue the process and added that once she’s able to integrate these things on court, she’ll have a clearer mind. “I think the ego part was very important for me to understand, to be able to accept change…I’m looking forward to continuing to take one step at a time and see how far I can go.”
FACIAL COMMENTARIES: After a frustrated Aryna Sabalenka slapped herself, broadcaster Stephanie Myles said, “Don’t do that. You have a beautiful face.”…James Blake said, “Frances Tiafoe has one of the greatest smiles you’ll ever see.”
IT’S A MYSTERY: Azarenka was asked whether having her son at the tourney was “more demanding, a distraction, or a relaxation?” The Belarusian replied, “All of the above…Being a parent is not easy. He’s full of personality. I don’t know where he gets it from, obviously.”
CLUTCH MADDY ROLES ON: Madison Keys was down a set and a break against Coco Gauff conqueror Qiang Wang. But she dominated 10-2 in the deciding tiebreak. In the fourth round, she will and will not get what she wants. These days, no one wants to face the surging Indian Wells champion Paula Badosa, but the Spaniard provides plenty of pace – exactly what Keys likes.
THEIR DAY SHOULD COME: Eighteen-year-old phenom Carlos Alcaraz lost in five tough sets to Matteo Berrettini. But to Cliff Drysdale the Spaniard was “a gimme to go all the way at a Slam one day.” Seb Korda fell in the third round to Pablo Carreno Busta, but James Blake contended that Seb would be the first American man to win a major since Andy Roddick in 2003.
NOVEL IDEA: French veteran Alize Cornet, who upset No. 3 seed Garbine Muguruza to reach the third round, has a deal with a French publisher to write three novels.
TIP OF THE DAY: Brad Gilbert said, “Putting up good results is important. But just improving, that’s the most important thing.”
NOLE’S REVENGE: Miomir Kecmanovic, who originally was scheduled to face his fellow Serbian Novak Djokovic in round one, said he was playing to avenge his beloved countryman. He’s now through to the fourth round and will make at least $225,000 more than he would have if he had lost to the world No. 1.
LACIN’ ‘EM UP: Brit Liam Broady drew much support, including a thank you note from Billie Jean King, when he wore rainbow shoelaces in his first round match, in support of the LGBTQ community.
MINIMUM THRESHOLD: It takes a minimum of 24 points to win a set. Azarekna needed just 25 to collect a 6-0 first set over No. 15 seed Elina Svitolina.
A WELL NAMED TENNIS STADIUM? If Sabalenka, whose first name is pronounced “Ah-r-ee-nuh” emerges as a truly great champion, maybe someday, somewhere, someone will name a tennis stadium the Aryna Arena.
