QATAR TOTAL ENERGIES OPEN

February 14, 2025

Amanda Anisimova

Press Conference

A. ANISIMOVA/E. Alexandrova

6-3, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Amanda, congratulations, into the final. Talk us through the match today, and what do you think gave you an advantage?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I'm just happy with the level I was able to produce out there today. I think that I was playing some aggressive tennis, which was important against a player like her, she hits the ball very hard. I'm happy that I was able to step it up in important moments in the match. She's a very tough player to play, so I'm just happy to be through to the final.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. Which were your feelings before the tournament, and what you feel now you are in final, the second final in a 1000 tournament?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, it's super special to be into the final here. I've been working really hard, so I'm just happy with all the work that's paying off. Every match here has been super tough, so I'm just very relieved to be playing some good tennis, and it's been fun out here. I really like playing here in Doha, the crowd and the atmosphere is very nice, so I've been enjoying it a lot. I'm looking forward to the final.

Q. It's been almost one year since you came back from that break, so if you compare your feelings and motivation to tennis, compared to like three or four years ago, how much are you motivated, and how much do you like to play tennis now?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I think I've been enjoying it a lot more, maybe in a different sense. I've been training really hard and working hard. I think I've also matured more. I'm still only 23, so to look back, I was here five years ago, I was still really young. I think I've just had a lot more experience, a lot more match play, which obviously helps. Playing these tough matches, it's very physical out there.

Yeah, I think that having a couple years of the experience of playing on these big courts against big players has really helped me transform into the player I am today, and, yeah, I think I've had a good week here overall and I'm just happy with it.

Q. You were one of the first players saying how tough the life on the tour can be. Some followed you, and last year, for example, Caroline Garcia said she had to take a break. Do you feel that you have been listened to? Do you feel that something has changed?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I think with every year you learn more, and you have different experiences and you learn more about your self. I think I'm just growing up and maturing and learning with everything.

Life on tour is difficult, as you said, but I've been enjoying it, and I'm happy with the person I'm becoming, and the qualities I'm developing as an athlete and, yeah, the progress I've made, I'm happy.

Q. Your thoughts on your opponent in the final?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, she's been playing some lights-out tennis this week, definitely a tough player to play. But I'm sure it will be a fun match, I'm looking forward to it. The only time I played her was actually here, I lost that match, it was a tough one, so, yeah, I'm sure it will be a battle, and I'm looking forward to it.

Q. In general, what do you think is the beauty of tennis, this sport, what do you like about this sport, and what do you find that is the tough things to handle?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: For going to bed at 7 a.m. today I think this is a tough question (laughing). I think you learn a lot about your self, and to me personally I love the challenges that I face in very high-stress and high-stake situations.

Obviously playing tennis is not the hardest thing to do in the world, I mean we're just playing a sport here, but the nerves that you feel in important moments and the stress, I like to take that challenge and try to push myself and figure out a way to win, I think that's something that you learn with the sport. Yeah, just also being independent, it's an independent sport, so just relying on yourself and figuring out ways, I think that's also a great asset that the sport teaches you.

Obviously traveling to so many cool cities and having different experiences and memories, I think we're all very blessed to be able to have this life, and just to be able to have these cool experiences is really special, so, yeah, I think this sport brings us a lot.

Q. Do you still paint? I know that painting was a great help for you in that months that you didn't play tennis.

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I started painting actually when I was still playing, before the break. It was something that I would do when I had a lot of free time, which I haven't had in a very long time, I've been training so much when I've been home, and obviously I've been away from home for a while now. I'm hoping that when I come back I'll have a little bit of time off so I'll be able to paint again. It's been awhile, but it's something that I enjoy, and it's a hobby that I've picked up.

Q. How do you feel physically? I know you played some late matches and I don't think you liked it very much, so how do you feel?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Well, actually, I'm not really a morning person, I would say, so I've been enjoying it, but it's definitely catching up to me a little bit now. It's not easy going to bed so late every night.

Physically I've actually been feeling a bit better with each day, because I think that I've been picking up some match fitness. I actually didn't train much at all before this tournament, so I think just putting in the hours on the court this week has actually helped me physically. Yeah, it's just one more push tomorrow, and then I'll get some time to rest before Dubai starts, so, yeah.