THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 8, 2025

Amanda Anisimova

Press Conference

A. ANISIMOVA/A. Pavlyuchenkova

6-1, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Amanda, congratulations. That was a great battle today. Could you talk us through the match?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, it was a super tough match there. A really big battle. She's a really tough player, tough opponent.

So yeah, I'm just really happy with the way I was able to stick it through there and fight my way back and get the win.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Curious about the background to your sister and your nephew coming. At what point did you realize you wanted them here? How has it been having them here to see this?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I mean, they were asking me yesterday if they should come. It was kind of a last-second decision. They flew in this morning.

Yeah, I was super excited for them to be here and to come and watch. My nephew has never seen a match of mine in my life, so it was super special, especially for the first time to be here at Wimbledon, and to get the win also on top of that is just an incredible experience.

Yeah, just super happy that they were able to make it out today.

Q. Can we talk about the last 20 minutes of the match or last 25? What was going through your head and how your stomach was feeling and how you got through what looked to be jitters? Maybe they weren't.

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: I mean, I normally get stomachaches from stress, so it's funny you bring that up. No, I didn't have any today.

Yeah, it was just pretty stressful there. I was definitely getting a bit nervous, but trying not to really show any emotion and just to keep fighting and doing the best that I could really.

She was really bringing up the level from her end, so yeah, it was tough. To stick with my game, I feel like I was struggling there a bit.

Yeah, I feel like I really reset and told myself to really go for it in the tiebreak, to just lock in, honestly. Yeah, I feel like I was able to bring my level up after that. Yeah, I feel like I did a good job in the end.

Q. How happy are you with the progress you made over the last year, of course, being in qualifying here last year and not making it into the main draw and now into the semifinals?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, it's a super special turnaround for me, considering where I was a year ago and losing in the quallies here last year, which was a bit heartbreaking. I really wanted to qualify and make it into the main draw.

Yeah, I mean, I've done a lot of work since then, have really pushed my way through I feel like this year. I've dealt with some injuries and come on top of that and have worked on my physicality, also.

Yeah, I feel like everything has been kind of clicking for me, and I've been feeling more and more confident with each tournament I've played this year. So I feel like my confidence is pretty high. On top of that, I'm just enjoying every moment.

Q. The one previous Grand Slam semifinal you played was one of the crazier matches in the last few years. Does that give you any relaxation maybe this one probably won't be as much as a roller coaster? Your thoughts on the semis and facing Sabalenka?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I mean, it's going to be another super tough match. I know she's going to be playing some amazing tennis. I mean, there's nobody better that I can play other than her.

Yeah, I mean, I'm really looking forward to the experience. I mean, I'm going to be playing against a No. 1 in a semifinal of Wimbledon, so it's going to be really special.

Yeah, I feel like my level right now is very high. I'm doing all the right things. So I feel like I'm giving myself the best possible chance I can right now.

Yeah, I'm looking forward to it, and I'll definitely be soaking in this experience.

Q. I wanted to ask you about the break you took back in 2023, if that has been the best thing you've probably done for yourself and for your career?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, for sure. I mean, I feel like it's maybe not the best thing. I think it was just more of a necessary thing to kind of reset with where I was at in my life and career-wise. It was just something that I needed to do kind of for myself.

Yeah, I feel like that really served me, definitely. Coming out of that break, it wasn't all upward. There were definitely some ups and downs coming out of it and getting used to the lifestyle and just being an athlete at this level. It's not easy.

Yeah, I definitely had to find my way back, really work on the fitness side, and definitely get in my hours of training. Yeah, I mean, it's been a journey. I feel like since last summer, it's really trended upwards for me. I finally found my game and my confidence.

Q. You mentioned the word 'journey'. How would you describe your journey?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: How would I describe it (smiling)? I guess a bit of a roller coaster. Yeah, I mean, I don't know, I've experienced a lot. I think breaking through when I was a teenager was super special. I feel like I've experienced many different moments, and most importantly, learned a lot of lessons, learned a lot about myself, and how to handle certain situations. I think that's so important, especially early on in this career.

So to be able to have all those experiences already, I think that really helps me now.

Q. Why do you think you're such a tough matchup for Aryna?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: For Aryna? I don't know. I mean, we've had a lot of difficult matches. Every single match we've played, I mean, it's always been tough. We've gone three sets in a lot of them. So I think we're both big hitters, and big hitters like to go at it against each other.

I feel like we always bring the best in each other's game, and we always raise the level when we play against each other. But yeah, I mean, I always enjoy the challenge that she brings. I'm sure it's the same vice versa.