US OPEN

August 26, 2025

Amanda Anisimova

Press Conference

A. ANISIMOVA/K. Birrell

6-3, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. If you would, your thoughts on the performance today.

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Thank you. Yeah, I thought it was pretty good. I mean, I feel like I could have played better, but it wasn't bad either.

I think it was just, like, the first round, and I think I was trying to play better than, you know, I was, but I thought it was okay for a start.

Obviously Kim is a really tough player, and I've never played her before. So yeah, she definitely made things tricky for me. Yeah, just happy to be through to the next round, and it was great to be back.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. It's not that strange to play your first round on a Tuesday, but just the third day of first round. It's a new format. I'm just curious what it was like to wait almost 48 hours to finally play your first round today?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I felt like it was better for me. I kind of wanted to get that extra training in. I've been here for over a week now, and I think the more days I get to be on the court and practice my shots, the better it is for me.

So I was actually quite happy to be on the last day, but definitely does feel a little bit weird, it being split in three days. But since I was here when the quallies was happening, I didn't notice much of a difference, yeah.

Q. I just wondered after the Wimbledon final what the kind of week or so after that looked like. How did you recharge and kind of process that, I suppose?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I went to New York where my family was before they flew to London. Yeah, I spent a few days there, which was super nice. Just super laid back and was mostly chilling, just spending time with my nephews, and at the beach.

Then I went home for a little bit, which was also really great, because I wasn't home since, like, April. So I was in Europe for quite a long trip. Yeah, I trained a little bit in Miami and then headed to Montreal.

I think by the time that I was done with my training week in Miami, I was really excited to get back out there and start the hard court swing.

Q. How much were you kind of thinking about it, the run in general, and how much were you able to kind of just put it behind you?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: I think I was processing it, but it's not like I kept looking back at it. I was still very much in the present moment of the Wimbledon Championships being over. I'm, like, in my life today, and yeah, I think I was just taking the time to really reset and enjoy whatever I had been doing.

Then when I got to Miami, it was just like a switch, like training mode and getting ready for the hard court swing. So I didn't really think much of it. I just wanted to keep improving. Yeah, I was excited to get started here.

Q. The outfit you wore today was very similar, same color, as the outfit you wore when you beat Coco here in your final. When you think back to that match, how do you feel it affected you and shaped you?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Wow, I keep getting asked about the juniors. Yeah, I mean, it was such a long time ago. For sure it made my transition into the pros easier I think to win a Grand Slam and then go straight into the pro circuit. I think that really helped me with my confidence and ending my junior career off in a way that I would have wanted and dreamed of.

But yeah, it's so far back to even think about. But yeah, hopefully the outfit -- I mean, there are a few different colors, but if I keep wearing the red, I can recreate that moment back then.

Q. Can you speak about that after that match where you were talking about your career and life in general terms. This is life. This is tennis. It's what I want to do, win Grand Slams. Obviously life threw you a couple of curve balls in between. How has that matured you, and what impact has that had on even the way you view the profession?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I mean, I've definitely experienced a lot, and I've had many opportunities, which have been great on the tour and many memories. I think there were tons of good memories and bad memories, but I think it's all part of the experience.

Yeah, it's been a hell of a ride, and I'm just happy to be where I am today.

Q. Can you just describe what it's like to come into this tournament ranked where you are coming off Wimbledon? Is there any additional pressure because of the year you are having, or just how different is it to enter this tournament where you are?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: I would say it's more exciting. I'm excited to be here. I feel good. I have confidence, and yeah, I love playing here. So if anything, I just embrace where I am and where my ranking is at when I step onto the court and just try and use it to my advantage.

Yeah, I mean, I'm feeling good, and I'm excited to be through to the next round. Yeah, hopefully I can keep playing better and better.

Q. How important do you think it is to build off of that breakthrough at Wimbledon?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: I was playing some great tennis there, and there were a lot of tough matches that I got through and a very tough battle. So I think just taking certain moments from the Wimbledon into here is going to be super important.

There were a lot of times where I dug really deep, and I think that's going to be really important for me here.

Q. What you did in Wimbledon at the final was pretty special. After this really tough on-court experience, you really turned the whole moment around with your comments. My question is, how were you able to do that in the moment? Is that something you're proud of or gives you satisfaction? Finally, did you hear from any people of distinction about that?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Any people from what?

Q. Any distinguished people. Did you get any comments from special people?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I mean, it was definitely a very hard moment after the final, and for me to keep my composure and try to keep my nerves at bay was really difficult and uncomfortable. But I'm really happy with the way I was able to manage and, you know, still speak on court at the ceremony and try and embrace the moment and enjoy it as best as I could.

But yeah, it wasn't easy, but then obviously I think I tried to turn it around and make it as positive as I could, which I was really happy to be stepping off of the court with. When I left the locker room, I was just happy with the way I was able to carry myself, because that was the only thing in my control.

Yeah, I mean, there were a lot of people who were very supportive on social media and sending me messages afterwards, which was really nice.

Q. After your match on court, they asked you about the time you spent away, and obviously that's kind of become a part of your story. Do you ever get tired of recounting that, or is that something you like to do to help other people?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: No, I mean, I like to talk about it, and for sure it is special. If I can touch anyone's life in that sense and if anyone can relate to me in that way, then that makes me very happy, as I said.

It is a very frequent topic, for sure. Yeah, I mean, I'm honored to be able to talk about it, and I try to be as honest as I can. But yeah, I mean, if someone asks me any questions, I always try my best to answer them as well as I can.

Q. With the time off, what correlation do you give that time away with what you've done this year?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: I mean, I feel like I've answered this many times. For sure taking the time that I needed. I said that, you know, it was time for me to take a break, something that I really needed to do. I never looked back at it, never regretted my decision.

Obviously it served me, and I'm really happy with the choice that I made. It's clearly paying off now, and I feel like I have a whole new perspective when I step onto the court. Even on regular days or training days, I think I appreciate the process a lot more than I used to.

Yeah, overall I think I just enjoy the lifestyle a lot and, you know, the journey that comes along with the pro circuit. It's definitely been a new experience for me.