THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 4, 2022

Amanda Anisimova

Press Conference

A. ANISIMOVA/H. Tan

6-2, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Amanda, give us your thoughts on reaching the quarterfinal.

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I'm extremely happy right now. Haven't made it this far in a Grand Slam for a very long time. Yeah, I'm just really proud of myself and my team with all the hard work that we've put in.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Do you feel like this is where you belong; you should be in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I mean, I know my level is there. I know a couple times I said, like, I might be surprised or stuff like that. But it means a lot to me. I'm not surprised by the results because I know that my game is very good and I always put up a fight against top players.

So, yeah, it comes with experience, the results, trying to get farther and farther into a Grand Slam. I think that's why I got to the quarters here over the other Grand Slams this year.

Q. You talked on the court today about the highs and the lows, how you appreciate this so much more. Can you elaborate on that? What would it mean to get to your second major semifinal?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, sure. I think when I was 17, I didn't really appreciate getting to the semifinals as much as I probably should. It only soaked in I think like a year later, understanding what that was, how much it actually meant to me.

Yeah, just having over a year of not very good results, it really affects you. It motivates me a lot to train harder and just work harder.

But when you have losses every week in early rounds, it's very hard to find that motivation. I just kept going. It just took longer than I thought it would. That's why it means so much to me now for having a great year this year.

Q. How have you dealt with all the hardships? Did you ever doubt that you'd get to the very top?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, there have been a lot of things, especially how last year started like with COVID, injury coming into Dubai, just falling down the stairs, freak stuff constantly happening.

I mean, it came off of just knowing what it feels like to get to the semifinal of a Grand Slam and knowing how much it means to me. That's what kept me going and practicing every single day. I never really took a break or stopped. I kept pushing myself even though it was just like constant dissatisfaction kind of, losing constantly at tournaments.

Yeah, I'm just happy with the way I kept pushing myself and knowing that the hard work will eventually pay off. Even though it took quite a long time, I think I progressed last year quite a bit, then it really started showing this year.

Q. What do you draw the most inspiration from as you've surmounted these hurdles and made it to this point?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, it means a lot to me. Also just knowing that I have such a great support system, my team and my coaches, my family, they've always stood by me. Yeah, we're just very happy now, just having a great year with a lot of results.

I mean, I know I can do better. I'm excited for the next round because I want more. I'm not completely satisfied with just a quarterfinal because my goal this year has been to win a Grand Slam.

Q. What were your emotions when the match ended?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Today? I mean, I don't think it was as celebratory as the last match. Yeah, I was kind of actually a bit shocked to know I'm in the quarterfinal right before I had to do the interview. When I did the on-court speech, I kind of felt frozen, like I wasn't even there.

It means a lot to me. I know I had to be laser focused today. She was going to get a lot of balls back. I'm just happy with the way I played and managed it.

Q. What did you learn from the last time you played Halep?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: I just played her last week. It's funny, I think I'm known for getting bad draws. No, I'm kidding (smiling).

Yeah, she's really tough to play on grass, for sure. Last week she was playing very well. It was a tough match for me. I mean, I kind of felt my wrist a bit in that match so I wasn't really playing to the full of my abilities.

I know this will be a really tough match coming up, but I'm looking forward to it. I'm sure we'll both put up a really good fight.

Q. Could you talk about the joy of hitting the ball, where you learned such clean strokes, the satisfaction that gives to you?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: I think it was just the technique that I was taught when I was at a young age maybe. I don't always feel that my strokes are that clean. I used to feel that my forehand was very clean and I would kind of end it like that. But I've worked on it quite a bit.

It kind of tough to play my aggressive game style always. Just having it constantly always be on, always playing the game I want to play. But I'm getting better at managing that, going for my shots like 100%.

Q. What do you remember of when Simona won here?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I mean, her final against Serena, I don't think anyone really expected her to beat Serena. So I think it was just a very magical moment for her.

She's an amazing player. She'll fight till the very end. I think she did an amazing job. That was a very special tournament for her.

I really enjoyed watching that match and she's a very tough player to play on grass.

Q. Has that backhand been with you since you were five years old?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, probably the backhand down the line since day one (smiling).

Q. Speaking of Serena, you were part of a really great group of Americans playing here. You are the last American woman standing. How does that feel for you and Taylor to be both going into the quarters?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: I was kind of surprised. I asked my coach today if there were any more American girls still in the draw because they've been doing very well, like Coco.

Kind of surprising to me because we just have such a strong team of girls from America that are doing so well right now.

But I'm happy at least Taylor won today for the 4th of July.