Anisimova unlocks Miami Open memories
MIAMI — The Miami Open is not only a homecoming for Amanda Anisimova.
It doubles as a return to the place it began.
The World No. 6 nonetheless lights up when she talks about coming to this occasion as a child, again when it was held in Key Biscayne. Long earlier than she imagined herself contained in the draw, she would spend complete days on the grounds, watching, wandering and taking all of it in.
Nearly a decade after making her WTA Tour main-draw debut right here in 2017, Anisimova arrives with a special perspective — not the child within the stands, however one of many gamers followers now come to look at.
And together with her house base simply up the street in Miami Beach, the familiarity runs even deeper.
“I would go to the Crandon Park site a lot like a kid, and I absolutely loved it,” the 24-year-old stated of the previous venue, which held the match from 1987-2018. “It was one of my favorite times of the year. It’s a lot of cute memories.”
She additionally remembers eager to grow to be a ball child, however deciding that the rigorous coaching required to land the gig wasn’t value it.
The two-time Grand Slam finalist on the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz remembers watching Caroline Wozniacki, Roger Federer and Victoria Azarenka play — and follow, when she was fortunate sufficient to get a superb view. But maybe her most cherished reminiscence was when icons Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams signed her hat, which she made positive to put on religiously for the whole thing of the next 12 months.
At the time, Anisimova by no means thought of that she may observe in these gamers’ footsteps someday.
“I was a fan,” she stated. “Obviously I played a lot, and I competed, but the dream was just so far [away]and I was just a kid as well. Maybe some kids dream that one day they’ll be there, but I think that it just didn’t seem realistic to me as a child.”
Anisimova did not simply get there; she primarily began her profession there. That first match towards Taylor Townsend was a tricky three-set loss, however Anisimova returned the following 12 months and beat Qiang Wang in a match the place she injured her proper foot within the third set. It can be her one and solely win in Key Biscayne, as she drew from the match forward of her subsequent match towards Garbine Muguruza.
The subsequent 12 months the Miami Open relocated to Hard Rock Stadium, and he or she’s nonetheless searching for her breakthrough on the match which means a lot to her. Her finest outcome got here final 12 months, when she snapped Mirra Andreeva’s 13-match profitable streak earlier than falling to Emma Raducanu within the fourth spherical.
This 12 months the expectations are increased, and he or she has the benefit of attending to sleep in her personal mattress. She additionally sometimes drives to the stadium with buddies, an added perk that makes the match really feel extra enjoyable and acquainted.
“I’m going into this tournament feeling good,” she stated. “I feel like I’ve had quite a few matches this year already and have been playing good tennis. So yeah, just happy to be here. I feel healthy. Just looking forward to getting started, and hopefully I can keep that momentum going.”
Seeded sixth, Anisimova obtained a bye into the second spherical, the place she’ll play Ajla Tomljanovic. Anisimova has did not beat the Australian in two tries, though they have not performed since 2021.
