Amanda Anisimova shares first message since taking mental health break from tennis

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Amanda Anisimova reveals taking a break from tennis to address her mental health has helped her realize how much effort, work and pain she experienced in order to achieve her dreams of becoming a tennis star. Anisimova, 21, burst onto the scene in 2019 when she as a 17-year-old won Bogota and reached the French Open semifinal.

In early May, Anisimova announced she was taking an indefinite break from tennis to address her mental health and burnout. "Missing this part of me. Stepping away from the game has really made me realize how much work, sweat, tears, pain I’ve experienced for this sport.

With that being said, I am so proud of myself," Anisimova wrote on Instagram.

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A post shared by Amanda Kay Victoria (@amandaanisimova)

Anisimova had enough of trying to push through it

Anisimova last played in late April, when she suffered a Madrid first-round defeat to Elena Gabriela Ruse.

For Anisimova, it was her fourth consecutive defeat. Also, that loss put Anisimova's 2023 record to 3-8. A couple of days after the Madrid exit, Anisimova revealed she wasn't in a great place mentally and there was no point in continuing to play.

"Hey guys. I thought I’d make a post explaining what’s been going on and my plans. I’ve really been struggling with my mental health and burnout since the summer of 2022. It’s become unbearable being at tennis tournaments.

At this point my priority is my mental well-being and taking a break for some time. I’ve worked as hard as I could to push through it. I will miss being out there, and I appreciate all the continuous support," Anisimova announced earlier this month.

Chris Evert, a former 18-time Grand Slam champion, showed empathy for Anisimova after the American made the announcement. "It seems like a glamorous life, but it isn’t. For a teenager, it is not a normal life. Every day, you’re either a winner or a loser.

You’re put on a pedestal or you’re shamed on social media. The highs and lows provide no balance. There is a price. Take your time Amanda," Evert tweeted. It remains to be seen when Anisimova will be ready to play again.