QATAR TOTAL ENERGIES OPEN

February 8, 2026

Amanda Anisimova

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Amanda, welcome back. How does it feel to be back?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I have a lot of great memories from here. Last year was my first big title, so, yeah, I'm just really excited to be back. I feel like it's been a long year, and I feel like this is kind of where it all started for me last year, so, yeah, hoping for a really great week again.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. (No microphone.)

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: What's my mindset?

Q. Maybe you feel it was such a, it seems like a lifetime ago or something.

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Oh, no, I would say I'm still the same person, same player, for the most part. Obviously I have the addition of a lot of experiences last year. I would say I'm pretty much in the same place and kind of mindset as I was last year. I feel like I was in a really good place when I got here last year.

But, yeah, then also I learned a lot of lessons and had a lot of great matches that kind of add up to me coming into this tournament as well, and just, like, different experiences.

Q. Curious how you recovered from and what you took away from your experience at the Australian Open.

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I feel like it's actually felt like quite some time since. I think it was a really good run for me. It was my first time making the quarters there. Yeah, I'm happy with the result. I feel like I realized a lot of things that I need to work on. I feel like I've been really able to implement those things in my practices as of lately. Yeah, I feel like I'm working on the right things, so I'm really happy with how things are going.

Q. With some distance, have you been able to process some of the negative emotions you were experiencing on court in your last match, and where you feel maybe those were coming from?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I feel like I processed and reflected after that match. There were certain things that made sense to me, and I think that now I know what to do differently in the future, just how to balance certain things better.

Q. Obviously a lot of success here last year, and it really kick started a strong 2025 year. Can you reflect on that title and how important it was for you to get to where you are now?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, it was really great for me to have won that title last year. I feel like that gave me that kind of boost of confidence that I know I'm capable of doing it, and capable of playing big matches. The schedule here is you play back-to-back matches every day, so I felt like it was a very physical week for me. And just being able to make it through and get past the finish line was really special and important for me as I developed as a player throughout the course of last year.

Yeah, I can always look back on that in any moments of doubt that I have, or just when I need a little bit of a boost of reminding myself of what I'm able to do. I feel like winning this title here is a really good memory for that.

Q. It's the goal of every tennis player to win a Grand Slam. Having come close twice, do you have more desire to win one having come so close?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: As opposed to?

Q. As opposed to earlier when you hadn't reached a Grand Slam final.

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: I would say that it's definitely more feasible for me. I know that I'm able to really get to that goal, and I think for sure the hunger is there. I'm really doing everything I can to try and prepare myself as best as I can for those Grand Slams, when I'm in those opportunities or positions. I think, yeah, I've been making all the right steps towards that, and I feel like we're doing the right things for me to get to my goal. Obviously those things also take time.

Q. The Australian Open tournament director talked about possibly having best-of-five matches next year. Your thoughts on that and whether you feel that you want to play best-of-five or you feel more comfortable playing best-of-three?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: I mean, we've always played best-of-three, so I feel like that would be a crazy change for us. Also very physical on a woman's body. So, yeah, I prefer to obviously play three sets, for sure.

Q. I'm sure you'll be busy the next couple weeks, but have you gotten a chance or are planning to watch any of the Olympics?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I would love to see some of the skiing in the winter Olympics. I find those sports so special, always very thrilling to watch. So, for sure, I'm going to turn my TV on and watch some of it to distract myself from some tennis.

Q. Do you have any favorite athletes or anyone that you're going to follow particularly closely?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: I really like Eileen and Lindsey Vonn, some of the skiers. I think skiing is such a cool sport and really great to watch. So, yeah, I'll be definitely tuning in.