Anisimova secures winning return at Wimbledon 2026

By Karan Malhotra — 30 June 2026 — 3 min read

Amanda Anisimova, last year’s Wimbledon runner-up, has made a successful return to the Grand Slam, defeating qualifier Lina Gjorcheska in the first round. The American player secured a 6-3, 6-2 victory on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, advancing to the second round of the tournament.

Anisimova’s return comes after a season that saw her achieve significant milestones in 2025, including reaching back-to-back finals at the U.S. Open and Wimbledon. She also claimed two WTA 1000 titles in Doha and Beijing, and achieved a career-high ranking of world no. 4. Despite a challenging 6-0, 6-0 loss to Iga Swiatek in the title match 12 months prior, Anisimova displayed no lingering effects from that defeat during her match against Gjorcheska on Court Two.

A Strong Start to the Tournament

The match against Gjorcheska, who is the first player from her nation to compete in a Grand Slam main draw, concluded in 61 minutes. Anisimova acknowledged the challenge of playing a qualifier, stating, “It’s not easy playing a qualifier who has had a few matches under her belt.” She added that Gjorcheska “played great” and that it was a “tricky first round” since they had not faced each other before. Anisimova expressed her excitement to be back at Wimbledon, noting that she was “filled with great memories” upon her arrival and aims to “carry that vibe” and “enjoy each day here.”

Anisimova’s 2026 season began with a career-high ranking of world no. 3 and included reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, where she was defeated by fellow American Jessica Pegula. However, she faced a wrist injury in April and May, which impacted her performance. She lost in the third round of the French Open and withdrew from the Berlin Open, a grass-court warm-up event for Wimbledon. Despite these setbacks, she reported that her wrist felt “not so bad after a few matches” following her Roland Garros loss, indicating a positive recovery.

The grass courts of the All England Lawn Tennis Club are a surface Anisimova finds particularly suitable for her game. She mentioned, “I really think the courts suit me well, so I never really get too nervous.” She approaches the tournament with a focus on her daily efforts rather than external expectations, stating she will be “going into them without any expectations” and not dwelling on her previous final appearance.

Focus on Well-being and Balance

Anisimova’s journey back to top form also reflects her renewed focus on mental well-being and self-care. In 2023, she took a break from the sport, citing struggles with mental health and burnout since the summer of 2022. She returned to professional tennis in early 2024, making mental health a priority. She emphasizes the importance of balancing her professional commitments with personal time, particularly at home in Miami with her family.

She highlighted the need for “a good balance between resetting and recharging my batteries” to be fully prepared, both physically and mentally, for tournaments. Anisimova noted the unpredictable nature of the tennis tour, making it challenging to plan far in advance. She values the support of her team, stating, “I just have such a great team around me that I love spending time with.” This positive environment contributes to her enjoyment and motivation to compete.

Now 24 years old, Anisimova turned professional at age 16. She feels she has “matured and grown so much” over the past eight years, gaining significant experience in the sport. She reflected on her younger self, wishing she had prioritized her own needs more and learned to decline requests. This shift in perspective has allowed her to approach her career with a stronger sense of self and purpose. Anisimova will next face either Petra Marcinko or Sofia Kenin in the second round of Wimbledon.