Amanda Anisimova is back—and she’s back in a big way.
The 23-year-old American completed her stunning resurgence in tennis by capturing her first WTA 1000 title at the 2025 Qatar Open, defeating Jelena Ostapenko 6-4, 6-3 in the final.
For Anisimova, this victory is more than just another trophy—it’s a testament to perseverance, resilience, and the power of taking a step back to move forward.
From a Tennis Hiatus to Career-Defining Glory
Anisimova’s journey to this moment has been anything but conventional.
- In 2023, she stepped away from the sport, prioritizing her mental and physical well-being.
- She returned in 2024, slowly working her way back into form.
- One year later, she is a WTA 1000 champion—the biggest title of her career.
In an era where athletes are proving that pausing a career doesn’t mean ending it, Anisimova’s triumph mirrors recent success stories like Belinda Bencic’s Abu Dhabi Open title just months after becoming a mother.
Her win in Doha sends a powerful message: stepping away doesn’t mean giving up.
The Road to the Title: A Gauntlet of Stars
Anisimova didn’t have an easy path to the championship, defeating some of the biggest names in the tournament:
✅ Victoria Azarenka
✅ Paula Badosa
✅ Leylah Fernandez
✅ Marta Kostyuk
✅ Ekaterina Alexandrova
Her opponent in the final, Jelena Ostapenko, also had a brutal road to get there, taking down:
✅ Aoi Ito
✅ Liudmila Samsonova
✅ Jasmine Paolini
✅ Ons Jabeur
✅ Iga Swiatek (the tournament favorite)
It was a final battle between two heavy-hitters, known for their aggressive, powerful shot-making.
The Match: Anisimova Outlasts Ostapenko in Rain-Interrupted Final
The final was a classic slugfest, but rain delays added another layer of unpredictability.
- At 2-2 in the first set, play was suspended.
- Anisimova came out sharper after the delay, breaking Ostapenko twice to win the set 6-4.
- Ostapenko’s serve let her down, as she hit five double faults in the opening set.
The second set followed a similar script.
- With the score locked at 3-3, another rain delay hit.
- Again, Anisimova handled the restart better, winning the final three games in a row to clinch the title 6-4, 6-3.
- She finished the match with 26 winners (13 forehands, 13 backhands).
This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement.
Breaking Into the Top 20: A New Chapter Begins
Thanks to her triumph in Doha, Anisimova will rocket up the WTA rankings, climbing 23 spots to World No. 18.
This marks her debut in the WTA Top 20 and signals that she is officially a contender again.
Her emotions were clear during the trophy ceremony, where she thanked her team for sticking by her throughout her comeback journey.
“To be able to lift the trophy here for my first WTA 1000 is super special. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without my team.. I love you guys. Without you, this wouldn’t have been possible.”
What’s Next for Anisimova?
Now, the question shifts from “Can she come back?” to “How far can she go?”
With a WTA 1000 title under her belt, Anisimova is now a dark horse threat at the biggest tournaments, including the upcoming Dubai Championships and the clay-court season.
If this version of Anisimova shows up at Roland Garros, a tournament where she was a semifinalist in 2019, she could be a legitimate Grand Slam contender once again.
Her comeback story isn’t finished—it’s just getting started.
Final Thoughts: A Win for Resilience in Tennis
Amanda Anisimova’s Doha triumph is more than just a personal victory—it’s a defining moment in modern tennis.
She’s proof that:
✅ Taking a break doesn’t mean the end of a career.
✅ Returning stronger is possible.
✅ The tennis world should take her seriously again.
With her confidence back and her game clicking, Anisimova has officially re-entered the conversation as one of the most exciting players on tour.
Could this be just the beginning? The tennis world is about to find out.
