(Video) Amanda Anisimova Blasts Team Members During Australian Open Quarterfinal Defeat to Jessica Pegula
Amanda Anisimova was seeking a third straight Grand Slam final.
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Amanda Anisimova blasted her team members (via WTA Tennis)
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Tennis might be the loneliest sport in the world. There are no teammates to pass the ball to, no timeouts to huddle with a coach, and nowhere to hide when the cameras are zoomed in. Today, Amanda Anisimova felt the full weight of that isolation during the Australian Open quarterfinals.
Following a crushing straight-sets loss to Jessica Pegula, the 24-year-old American star let her emotions spill over, shouting at her team in a scene that was equal parts uncomfortable and deeply human.
Anisimova is hardly the first player to lose it on court, and she won’t be the last. From Serena Williams to Daniil Medvedev, the history of tennis is paved with broken rackets and shouted grievances.
So much so, the fans don’t even need to go that far back. Recently, Coco Gauff was seen destroying her racket after a straight-set loss to Elina Svitolina. While it’s not “fair” to the coaches, it is a psychological coping mechanism for the player who feels completely alone in the arena.
Amanda Anisimova apologizes for conduct
Credit where it’s due, as Amanda Anisimova didn’t try to dodge the controversy. Almost immediately after leaving the court, she addressed the elephant in the room. She said on her IG story:
Still living and learning. The way I behaved on court today was not the way I want to be carrying myself when playing. After some reflecting, I understand it will [be] difficult to reach my goals that way. My emotions got the best of me and maybe I need to get my pms under control (jk, not really). I’m happy with my few weeks here, and I’ll be back stronger next year. Congrats to Jess[Pegula], she’s been in great form and good luck the rest of the way. Thanks for all the support, as always, I wouldn’t keep going without it.
She admitted regret, clarifying that her frustration wasn’t truly about her team’s competence, but about her own inability to turn the tide of the match. She publicly acknowledged that she lashed out and emphasized how much she actually values her support staff.
The public reaction has been a mixed bag, which is standard for the internet age. On one side, you have the critics arguing that professionalism should never waver. They see the outburst as disrespectful and a sign of mental fragility.
On the other side, a large wave of support has come through for Anisimova. Fans are increasingly aware of the mental toll of elite sports. Many are arguing that we shouldn’t villainize a young woman for showing human emotion in a high-pressure environment, especially one who has been open about her mental health struggles in the past.
What’s next for Amanda Anisimova?
Back in 2023, Amanda Anisimova took an indefinite break from tennis, citing burnout and mental health concerns. That decision was brave. Returning to the tour is even braver. She came into the Australian Open looking sharp, securing strong wins in the earlier rounds that had analysts whispering about a potential title run.
The quarterfinal was the first major roadblock in this “redemption arc.” The pressure to prove that she belongs back at the top is immense.
This is the golden generation of US players, with Coco Gauff, Madison Keys, and Jessica Pegula (who she lost to in the Australian Open quarterfinals), all sharing the limelight on the WTA.
Anisimova has made strides of her own. The 24-year-old made the Wimbledon and US Open finals in 2025, losing to Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, respectively. She is still remembered for all the wrong reasons for her final loss in SW19, as she was handed a double bagel by Swiatek.
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