HSBC Championships 2026: Former finalist Amanada Anisimova ‘super excited’ to get title challenge underway
• 3 minute read
World No.5 Amanda Anisimova is getting set for her return at the tournament that kick-started an outstanding second half to her 2025 campaign.
The 24-year-old American reached her first grass court final at last year’s HSBC Championships before going on to make Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, and win her first WTA 1000 title in Beijing – catapulting herself amongst the world’s best tennis stars.
Anisimova beat two top-10 players in Emma Navarro and Qinwen Zheng en route to the final at The Queen’s Club before losing out to Tatjana Maria.
This year, she comes into the tournament full of optimism after a clay court swing that was impacted by a wrist injury.
“I’m super excited to be back, I have great memories here and honestly, it’s a privilege to play at this club,” she said.
“I love this tournament so much. I feel like we’re all really well looked after. I made the final last year so I’m hoping to have another good week here again this year.
“It was a positive French Open for me considering I was out for a while and not really able to get any matches in. While I was there I was really excited to play and happy with the matches I did get to play.
“I’d say mentally it’s not easy being out with an injury but at the same time I’m healthy now and I’m here so I’m really looking forward to playing.”
Even before her impressive run last year, grass has been a successful surface for the young American.
She made the quarter-finals of Wimbledon in 2022, as well as quarter-final appearances in Mallorca, Bad Homburg and Berlin.
The HSBC Championships is Anisimova’s first tournament on the grass this year and she’s already managed to get a good feel for the club.
On Sunday, she was part of the HSBC Championships Opened Up, a fan day experience including several of the world’s top players and celebrity guests.
As part of the day, she got to have one of the first hits on the Andy Murray Arena, training along side British No.1 Emma Raducanu.
“I do love the grass court season,” Anisimova said. “It’s a very short one but I try to make the most of it when I do play. It’s great to be back, I’m really looking forward to it. Hopefully we have a few good weeks on the grass this year.
“It was great to play on the court (Andy Murray Arena). I don’t think anyone had played on it before so it was quite fresh. It was nice to get out there and do the opening day on it and play some doubles which was fun.
“It’s always great to play with Emma and it’s such a beautiful court. I was really excited to get back on it.”
The big headline story for this week has been the return of Serena Williams as a wild card entry into the doubles draw of the HSBC Championships.
As an American player growing up through Williams’ era of dominance, it has been an exciting week for Anisimova, having one of her biggest role models alongside her in the locker room.
“I grew up idolizing her,” she said. “She’s always been someone I looked up to. She’s a true legend of the sport.
“Honestly I think we’re all in awe of her here, just seeing her back. Having this comeback is so incredible and I’m really looking forward to watching it.
“I was out there on the grass doing the rest of my warm-up and she was playing some doubles. She honestly looks like she’s playing incredibly. I don’t think any of us are surprised by that.”
Second seed Anisimova has a bye into the second round at the HSBC Championships this year. She will play the winner between Britain’s Francesca Jones and Germany’s Laura Siegemund in her opening match.
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