Coco Gauff reaction to Wimbledon finalist's 'surprising' announcement said a lot
Amanda Anisimova will experience the pinnacle of her career to date as she steps out to face Iga Swiatek in her maiden Grand Slam final at Wimbledon. And while some doubted the American for her decision to take a break from tennis, others like Coco Gauff showed unwavering support during her hiatus.
Anisimova, 23, announced she would be stepping away from tennis in May 2023 in the hopes of prioritising her mental well-being, per The Mirror US. Fast forward a little more than two years, and she's about to break into the world's top 10 for the first time, a stark contrast to last year when she didn't make it past the Wimbledon qualifiers.
Her journey to Saturday's Wimbledon final was sealed with an impressive win over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. And that result yet again proved her doubters wrong.
"It was hard to digest people telling me you wouldn't making it after a long break," she told the BBC after beating the top seed on Thursday. "I think it's different for everyone. It goes to show that it is possible. I think that's a really special message that I've been able to show.
"To be honest, if you told me I would be in the final of Wimbledon I would not believe you. Especially not this soon. It's been a year's turnaround. To be in the final is just indescribable, honestly."
Anisimova's return to Wimbledon this year holds special significance following her absence from the main draw since 2022. After progressing to the quarter-finals once before, the US star emphasised the significance of her comeback following a break.
"A lot of people told me that you would never make it to the top again if you take so much time away from the game," she said. "Just me being able to prove that you can get back to the top if you prioritise yourself [has] been incredibly special to me."
Gauff is still just 21 years old but often displays maturity beyond her years. Not least of which on the tennis court, where she's a two-time Grand Slam champion and recently won the French Open for the first time.
But she underlined her moral fibre while offering support to Anisimova following her decision to focus on herself. When the New Jersey-born star announced her hiatus two years prior, Gauff was quick to convey compassion both in person and online.
"I'd say when she announced the initial break, I was surprised," said Gauff ahead of the 2023 US Open. "I don't think anybody was expecting it or anything.
"But I can understand really. There is probably a lot of players who need to take a break who don't take a break."
Gauff's public display of support for Anisimova was clear for all to see; she left a heartfelt comment filled with love heart emojis under Anisimova's Instagram announcement regarding her pause from competition.
She wasn't the only one, either, as other WTA stars such as Ons Jabeur, Paulo Badosa, Madison Keys and Priscilla Hon also expressed their support on Instagram. And these same sentiments from her tennis colleagues may have significantly contributed to putting Anisimova in the running for a historic feat at SW19.
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