US Open finalist Amanda Anisimova is up to No. 4 in the world on the WTA’s live rankings leading up to today’s US Open final against Aryna Sabalenka.
While fans know all about Anisimova and her triumphant return to the WTA tour after taking time off, here’s what you need to know about the American star’s family:
#1: She Followed in the Footsteps of her Older Sister
GettyAmanda Anisimova competes against Naomi Osaka at the US Open.
Although Amanda Anisimova may be the most accomplished tennis player in her family, the US Open finalist followed in the footsteps of her older sister, Maria, who played tennis.
During an interview with the New York Times in 2019, Maria explained that Amanda began trying to mimic her while watching her matches.
“If I was playing a tournament, Amanda would stand outside the fence of the court and mimic what I was doing. She had a little baby racket, and my parents said, ‘Right, we’ll take a shot at it.’”
#2: Her Family Moved From Russia in the 1990s
GettyAmanda Anisimova competes at the US Open.
Before Amanda was born, her family moved to the US from Russia in the late 1990s with her older sister Maria.
According to People, the family visited the US on vacation, and then decided to move in order to give Maria more opportunities.
In an interview with the New York Times in 2017, her father recalled:
“My wife had relatives who had lived a long time in the United States. They sent us an invitation to come visit this country. We visited it, and we liked it more and more, and we start thinking and taking it seriously.”
#3: Her Dad, Who Coached Her, Died From a Heart Attack in 2019
GettyAmanda Anisimova competes at the 2025 US Open.
Leading up to the 2019 US Open, Amanda Anisimova’s father, Konstantin, who coached her for many years until his split from her Mom, Olga, suffered a fatal heart attack.
According to Express.co, despite being separated, Anisimova’s parents remained in close contact. Because of that, when Olga went several days without hearing from Konstantin, she called emergency services, who conducted a wellness check and learned he suffered a fatal heart attack.
In a 2020 interview with the New York Post, Anisimova opened up on the tragedy:
“It was the worst thing that ever happened to me, it was very tough. But you can’t change it, and you have to get back to life.”
#4: Her Mom Started a Tennis Camp When She Was a Kid
GettyAmanda Anisimova walks onto Arthur Ashe Stadium court at the US Open.
While Amanda’s mom was an accountant in Russia before moving to the US, after relocating, she started a tennis camp.
As Anisimova’s sister explained in an interview with the New York Times in 2020, their mom created a tennis camp as a way to make sure Amanda connected with kids her own age despite putting school on the back burner to focus on tennis:
“My mom created a tennis camp, so Amanda could hang out with kids her own age, so she didn’t miss out on anything,” Maria said. “Many of her friends today are friends from that camp.”
#5: Her Mom Had A Superstition About Flying to Watch Her Play
GettyAmanda Anisimova addresses the crowd at the US Open.
Although Amanda Anisimova’s mom, Olga, had a superstition about flying to watch her daughter play, she famously broke the superstition by flying to watch her daughter play in the Wimbledon final earlier this year.
After the 0-6, 0-6 loss, Anisimova thanked her mom for being so supportive while joking about the superstition during her on-court interview.
“My mom is the most selfless person I know, and she’s done everything to get me to this point in my life, So thank you for being here and breaking the superstition of flying in. It’s definitely not why I lost today.”
Lucky for the family, she can travel to Flushing Meadows without having to set foot on a plane.
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