Amanda Anisimova went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in just 48 hours, proving once again how grueling the life of a professional tennis player can be.
On February 15, 2025, Anisimova won the biggest title of her career, capturing the WTA 1000 Qatar Open in Doha. The American stunned the field and lifted her first WTA 1000 trophy, a career-defining moment that should have been met with days of celebration.
Instead, just two days later, she found herself back on court, in an entirely different country, forced into action at the Dubai Championships—and the results were disastrous.
From Triumph to First-Round Exit in 48 Hours
With no time to rest or properly prepare, Anisimova crashed out in the first round in Dubai, falling 2-6, 3-6 to fellow American McCartney Kessler.
She wasn’t alone. Jelena Ostapenko, her final opponent in Doha, also suffered a stunning early exit, despite having just produced a dominant performance against Iga Swiatek. The Latvian was outplayed by Moyuka Uchijima, losing 3-6, 3-6 in another shocking result.
Both players clearly struggled with the demanding schedule, and Anisimova did not hold back when addressing the issue.
Anisimova Slams WTA Scheduling: ‘It’s Scary’
In her post-match press conference, Anisimova admitted that the quick turnaround was overwhelming, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.
“Definitely a little scary to go and play after such a quick turnaround. Not testing out the conditions and putting your body through that, it’s like very vulnerable.”
The 23-year-old highlighted a major issue players face—they have no choice but to play, even if they’re exhausted. Skipping Dubai wasn’t an option, as WTA rules would fine her and impact her ranking.
“With the schedule they have on us, it’s tough. You get fined. Then your ranking gets affected if you skip the big tournaments. We don’t get much of a choice when it comes to that.”
It’s an issue that top players often face, especially those who go deep into major tournaments. Winning should be a reward, not a punishment—but for Anisimova and Ostapenko, their success in Doha meant immediate pressure to perform again in Dubai.
A ‘Good’ Problem to Have?
Despite the frustrations, Anisimova kept things in perspective, joking that this was the kind of problem players dream of having.
“Obviously, it’s a good problem to have after a long week. But yeah, it was definitely difficult. But I’m happy with the way that I tried to manage it and tried to put myself out there and still compete.”
Still, the issue remains: is the WTA’s relentless scheduling doing more harm than good?
The Bigger Picture: Should the WTA Rethink Its Calendar?
Anisimova’s experience is not unique. Many players have struggled with back-to-back tournaments, leading to fatigue, burnout, and injuries.
While top players are expected to perform on demand, the reality is that the body can only handle so much—especially when traveling between countries with little recovery time.
The question now is: will the WTA listen?
For now, Anisimova will look to regroup after an exhausting week, but her comments have ignited a conversation about whether tennis scheduling is pushing players to their limits unnecessarily.