Wimbledon star tears up in press conference – ‘I need to go home’ | Tennis | Sport

Amanda Anisimova tore up during her Wimbledon press conference shortly after losing in the third round to fellow American Madison Keys. Last year’s finalist, who suffered a brutal defeat to Iga Swiatek nearly a year ago, returned with ambitions to go one step further, but they were curtailed on Independence Day.

The 24-year-old said she planned to fly home and take a break from tennis before preparations ramp up for her home Slam. When asked how she expected to bounce back from a defeat in which she took the first set, Anisimova was left stumped about her next step.

“I don’t know,” the world No. 6 admitted. “Normally, I’d be motivated and would just look at it as another opportunity going forward. But after the last few months, it’s really hard to see a silver lining, because it’s been really, really tough.

“I feel like I’m doing everything I can and working really hard. So for my game to still be at this point, it’s really hard to digest and take.

“It’s almost like I’m playing at a 125,000 level, not Wimbledon. That’s what I was saying to my coaches earlier. I don’t know.

“For me, it wasn’t enjoyable to play out there today with my tennis being like that. It was really, really tough. And when I’m happy and I’m enjoying it, it’s when I’m able to play my tennis. But when I’m not able to make one forehand in the court, it’s really, really hard.

“So, I don’t know. I need to go home and take some time and figure out how I can fix this.”

Anisimova said she wasn’t struggling physically, then began to tear up and added: “Sorry. I was excited to go back out on Centre Court, especially playing on Court 2 the last two days. So I was really eager to play. Obviously nervous, because I know my level hasn’t been great lately. I was very aware of that.

“I did everything I could to prepare yesterday and today and do all the right things. But it wasn’t enough. Hopefully everything will click for me soon, but right now, it’s hard to see that coming.”

Anisimova fell at the same stage at the French Open, that time in a cruel third-set tiebreak to Diane Parry, and has not won three matches at a tournament since playing in Dubai in February.

“It’s been a really rough few months trying to find my game and obviously struggling with my forehand a lot lately,” she explained. “Just something that I’m still trying to figure out. Just not easy to go out there and my level being that low. A lot of things for me to figure out.”