BEIJING, China — In a stunning display of resilience and raw talent, Amanda Anisimova has captured the 2024 China Open title, a remarkable victory that comes just days after the American underwent a minor surgical procedure. The 22-year-old Floridan, who returned to the tour earlier this year after a mental health break, defeated a string of top-tier opponents to claim the WTA 1000 crown, signaling a powerful and emotional return to the upper echelons of women's tennis.
The path to the championship was anything but conventional. Anisimova arrived in Beijing with her participation in serious doubt after requiring a minor medical intervention for a recurring issue just prior to the tournament. The nature of the surgery was not publicly disclosed, but it was significant enough to cast a shadow over her readiness to compete. Against all odds, she not only took to the court but played with a ferocity and freedom that belied her physical discomfort, stunning fans and pundits alike.
A Grueling Path to the Final
Anisimova’s draw in Beijing was unforgiving, pitting her against a series of formidable opponents from the first round. Her campaign began with a straight-sets victory over a qualifier, but the difficulty escalated rapidly. In the second round, she faced a resurgent Magda Linette, whom she dispatched in a tight two-set battle. The third round presented her greatest challenge yet: a clash with world number one and reigning Australian Open champion, Aryna Sabalenka.
The match against Sabalenka was a brutal, baseline-hitting contest that stretched over three grueling sets. Anisimova, known for one of the cleanest and most powerful backhands on tour, matched the top seed’s firepower shot for shot. In a pivotal moment in the third set, she saved two break points with fearless winners, eventually closing out the match 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. Visibly emotional, she covered her face with her towel after match point, the magnitude of the win clearly overwhelming.
When asked in her post-match press conference how she managed the physical toll, Anisimova was candid:
"To be honest, I didn't know what to expect from my body this week. After the procedure, my goal was just to get through the first round. Beating the world number one... it's surreal. I think not putting pressure on myself and just being grateful to be back out here competing freed me up to play my best tennis."
Her incredible run continued through the quarterfinals and semifinals, where she defeated:
- Elena Rybakina (4-6, 6-3, 6-2)
- Ons Jabeur (7-5, 6-1)
Both victories were characterized by her aggressive returning and a newfound mental fortitude in crucial moments, assets that had sometimes been inconsistent in her game prior to her break from the sport.
A Triumphant Final Against a Familiar Foe
The final pitted Anisimova against Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko, another flamboyant ball-striker known for her go-for-broke style. The match was a spectacle of powerful groundstrokes and minimal rally length, with both players refusing to cede an inch of the baseline. The first set was a rollercoaster, featuring multiple breaks of serve before Anisimova edged out a tiebreak. The second set saw Ostapenko fight back, leveling the match and forcing a decider.
In the third set, it was Anisimova who demonstrated greater composure. She broke Ostapenko’s serve in the fourth game and never looked back, serving out the match to love with an unreturnable serve and a final blistering backhand winner down the line. The final score read 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-2. Anisimova dropped her racket and sank to her knees, tears streaming down her face as the reality of her achievement set in.
During the trophy ceremony, an emotional Anisimova reflected on her journey over the past year:
"A few months ago, I wasn't sure if I would ever play tennis again. The love for the game wasn't there. To be standing here now, with this trophy, after everything... it means more than I can possibly say. This is for everyone who believed in me when I didn't believe in myself."
The Comeback Story of the 2024 Season
Anisimova’s China Open victory is the crowning achievement of a carefully managed comeback. She announced an indefinite hiatus from tennis in May 2023, citing mental health struggles and burnout. Her return in January 2024 was met with cautious optimism. The win in Beijing is not just her first title since her return, but her first since the 2022 Melbourne Summer Set, and by far the most significant of her career, being a prestigious WTA 1000 event.
Her coach, who has chosen to remain out of the spotlight during this period, was quoted in a WTA press release praising her courage:
"What Amanda has done this week is extraordinary, but it's a testament to the hard work she's put in off the court to find balance and joy in her life. The tennis was always there. It was about getting the person right first. Winning here, under these circumstances, proves she is on the right path."
The victory is expected to propel Anisimova back into the world's top 30, a rapid ascent from her protected ranking upon return. More importantly, it re-establishes her as a major threat at the highest level of the sport. Her game, built around a formidable serve and explosive groundstrokes from both wings, has always had the hallmark of a Grand Slam champion. Now, coupled with a renewed mental strength, the possibilities seem boundless.
What This Means for the WTA Landscape
Anisimova’s triumph in Beijing sends a powerful message through the WTA tour. In a season often dominated by a small group of players including Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Aryna Sabalenka, her win demonstrates the depth and unpredictability of women's tennis. It also highlights the importance of prioritizing athlete well-being, showing that a step away from the sport can sometimes be the key to unlocking greater success.
Tennis analysts were quick to praise her performance. Former champion and commentator Pam Shriver noted, "This isn't just a win; it's a statement. To come back from a break, deal with a physical setback right before the event, and then run through a draw this tough... it shows a level of mental toughness we haven't consistently seen from Amanda before. The tour should be on notice."
The key factors in her China Open success can be summarized as:
- Mental Clarity and Reduced Pressure
- Uncompromising Aggression from the Baseline
- Improved Fitness and On-Court Movement
- A Potent and Reliable Serve
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future
With the China Open title secured, Anisimova has immediately become a player to watch in the final stretch of the season and heading into the 2025 Australian Open. Her game is perfectly suited to the hard courts of Melbourne, where she reached the semifinals as a teenager in 2022. This victory provides not only a massive points and confidence boost but also validates her decision to prioritize her mental health, potentially inspiring other athletes facing similar struggles.
In her final comments to the media in Beijing, she looked forward with a sense of peace and excitement that was previously absent:
"I'm just going to enjoy this moment. This is for me. I worked so hard to get to a place where I could enjoy tennis again, and this is proof that I'm here. I don't know what's next, but I know I'm excited to find out."
Amanda Anisimova’s China Open victory is more than a tournament win; it is a narrative of personal triumph, a testament to the power of resilience, and a thrilling new chapter in the career of one of tennis's most gifted ball-strikers. In the face of physical and mental adversity, she didn't just compete—she conquered, announcing to the world that she is well and truly back.