Amanda Anisimova has been granted a wild card to play at the 2024 ASB Classic in Auckland, marking her first official WTA tournament in eight months.
Anismova, 22, took an indefinite break from tennis in April 2023, following four straight defeats culminating with a first-round exit at the Madrid Open. Defeat to Arantxa Rus in the Spanish capital effectively ended her season, and she did not give details of her return date.
The young American cited concerns about her mental health and struggles with burnout. In her shocking announcement last season, the 22-year-old explained that being at tennis tournaments had become "unbearable" and that she would prioritize her mental well-being.
Anisimova's career at the top level has been bittersweet. The former US Open junior champion scored some impressive wins in her teenage years and was one of the brightest young prospects on tour when she broke the WTA's Top 100 after turning 17.
But the loss of her father, who suffered a heart attack at the age of 52 in 2019, left the young Anisimova completely crestfallen. Grief, coupled with the pandemic in 2020, somehow stalled Anisimova's development, and she never quite hit her stride until 2022, when she won her second WTA title.
Her decision to take an indefinite break appears to have resuscitated her confidence and given her a dose of fresh thinking as she plots her return to tennis in 2024 by accepting a wild card at the ASB Classic, which begins officially on New Year's Day.
Anisimova will join a formidable entry list at the low-key WTA 250 event in New Zealand, which is spearheaded by defending champion and World No. 3 Coco Gauff, two-time former finalist at the event Caroline Wozniacki and Ukraine's top-ranked woman Elina Svitolina.
The American is one of three wild cards at the event. Her current ranking has gone on overdrive and is out of the world's Top 300. She'll use her Special Ranking of World No. 61 to play at the Australian Open next year.
We weren’t lying when we said TWO big announcements today! Crowd fave @AnisimovaAmanda is starting her new year comeback on Centre Court! This young gun is ready to return stronger than ever - we can’t wait to cheer her on 👏🎾 🎟️Tickets: asbclassic.flicket.co.nz #ASBClassic
