Amanda Anisimova Hit With Punishment Before Wimbledon Final vs. Iga Swiatek
23-year-old American tennis star Amanda Anisimova shocked the tennis world when she took down No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka to clinch a spot in the Wimbledon final against Iga Swiatek.
"To be honest, if you told me I would be in the final of Wimbledon, I would not believe you," Anisimova said with a laugh after the win. "At least not this soon, because it's been a year turnaround since coming back and to be in this spot, it's not easy. So many people dream of competing on this incredible court. It's been such a privilege to compete here, and to be in the final is just indescribable, honestly."
"This doesn't feel real right now," she added. "I was absolutely dying out there. I don't know how I pulled it out."
Just two years ago, Anisimova announced she was taking a break from the sport after calling it "unbearable."
"I've really been struggling with my mental health and burnout since the summer of 2022," Anisimova, then ranked No. 46, wrote on social media. "... At this point my priority is my mental well-being and taking a break for some time. I've worked as hard as I could to push through it."
Fast forward two years and she's made it to her first ever grand slam final - but it's not all good news for the American tennis star. Earlier this week Anisimova learned she was hit with a $4,000 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct during her fourth-round victory over Linda Noskova.
It won't keep her from competing against Swiatek on the grand stage, but she'll be leaving the tournament with a little less walking around money thanks to the fine.
Anisimova and Swiatek are scheduled to take the court for their match at 11 a.m. ET on ESPN.
Related: Amanda Anisimova Turns Heads With Post Amid Wimbledon Semifinal