The Comeback Clash: Osaka vs Anisimova
The Comeback Clash: Osaka vs Anisimova
The U.S. Open semifinals on Thursday will see a clash of two remarkable comebacks - Naomi Osaka and Amanda Anisimova. Both players have been climbing up the rankings after taking mental health breaks from the sport. Osaka, the defending champion, withdrew from the French Open due to her struggles with depression and anxiety. Anisimova, at just 19 years old, took a break from tennis to cope with the sudden loss of her father. Their journeys back to the top have been nothing short of inspiring.
Rising in the Rankings
Osaka and Anisimova have proven that taking a break from the intense world of professional tennis can actually benefit their game. Osaka, currently ranked world number 3, has won two Grand Slams since returning to the sport. Anisimova, now ranked world number 28, has reached her first Grand Slam semifinal after taking time off to focus on her mental and emotional well-being. Both players have shown that mental health should not be ignored in the competitive world of sports.
The Impact of their Comebacks
The U.S. Open semifinals will not only be a battle of skill, but also a testament to the importance of mental health in the world of professional sports. Osaka and Anisimova have both been vocal about
About the People Mentioned
Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka is a Japanese professional tennis player who has achieved global recognition as a four-time Grand Slam singles champion and former world No. 1. Born on October 16, 1997, in Osaka, Japan, she moved to the United States at age three with her family to pursue tennis, inspired by the success of the Williams sisters. Osaka turned professional in 2013, bypassing junior competitions, and quickly emerged as a top talent in the sport. Her breakthrough came in 2018 when she won her first WTA Tour title at Indian Wells and then defeated Serena Williams in the U.S. Open final, becoming the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam singles title. In 2019, she won the Australian Open and briefly held the No. 1 ranking, the first Asian player to do so. Osaka added two more Grand Slam titles: the 2020 U.S. Open and the 2021 Australian Open, making her the 16th woman in the Open Era to win four or more major singles championships. Osaka is also noted for her social activism and openness about mental health, notably withdrawing from the 2021 French Open to focus on her well-being. She served as the first tennis player to light the Olympic cauldron at the Tokyo 2020 Games, symbolizing her significance beyond tennis. In 2025, Osaka made a competitive return from maternity leave, reaching finals in several tournaments including the Auckland Open and Montreal. She won her first title in over four years at the WTA 125 event in Saint Malo and reached the US Open quarterfinals, signaling a strong comeback while ranked 24th in the world. Despite some injury setbacks in early 2025, she remains a prominent figure in women’s tennis and a leading athlete for Japan[1][2][3][4][5].
Amanda Anisimova
Amanda Anisimova is an American professional tennis player born on August 31, 2001, in Freehold, New Jersey. She turned pro in 2016 and has since established herself as a prominent figure in women's tennis, known for her powerful game and resilience. As of September 2025, she achieved a career-high WTA singles ranking of world No. 4. Anisimova gained early recognition at age 17 when she reached the semifinals of the 2019 French Open, signaling her arrival on the Grand Slam stage. She has since reached two Grand Slam finals in 2025, at Wimbledon and the US Open. At Wimbledon 2025, she notably defeated top players including world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka to reach her first major final, though she lost decisively to Iga Swiatek. Later that year, she also reached the US Open final, further cementing her status as a top contender. Her career features several WTA titles, including the 2025 WTA 1000 Qatar Open, where she defeated former Grand Slam champion Jelena Ostapenko, and earlier titles at Bogotá (2019) and the Melbourne Summer Set 2 (2022). Despite taking a break in 2023 to focus on mental health following personal losses, Anisimova returned in 2024-25 with renewed vigor and improved consistency, highlighted by strong performances in major tournaments and notable wins over top 10 players such as Simona Halep and Karolína Plíšková. Anisimova is coached by Rob Brandsma and Rick Vleeshouwers and has been praised for balancing youthful aggression with growing tactical maturity. Her career prize money exceeds $11 million, underscoring her success on the WTA Tour. Her trajectory suggests continued relevance and potential for further achievements in women's tennis.
