Amanda Anisimova breaks down in tears and gives heartbreaking speech after US Open defeat – eight weeks after Wimbledon final humiliation

Amanda Anisimova looked inconsolable in the moments after her crushing US Open final defeat to Aryna Sabalenka^[1] on Saturday night, just eight weeks after losing her first ever Grand Slam final at Wimbledon^[2] earlier this summer. 

The American star had never before reached the final in New York^[3], and did so in some style after an eye-catching three-set battle against former champion Naomi Osaka^[4] in the semi-final to book her spot on Arthur Ashe. 

Sabalenka has previously played two US Open finals, losing to Coco Gauff^[5] in 2023, but claiming her maiden title on American soil last year with victory over another home favourite, Jessica Pegula. 

Having gone without a Grand Slam title thus far this season – despite having made both the Australian and French Open^[6] finals – the world No1 began her title defence in ferocious form in Queens, snatching the early break from Anisimova. 

The 24-year-old clawed her way into the match, winning three games on the trot to put herself into the lead in the opening stages, but eventually faltered 6-3 in the opening set. 

Cleaning up her unforced error count, Anisimova looked much sharper in the second, pushing her opponent to a tiebreak, but Sabalenka’s impressive 20-1 record in the deciding format saw her crowned US Open champion in back-to-back years. 

Amanda Anisimova looked inconsolable after her defeat to Aryna Sabalenka at the US Open

The 24-year-old was defeated in her first ever final in Flushing Meadows on Saturday evening

Anisimova pulled herself together to give a thoughtful but heartbreaking runner-up speech

After graciously hugging and congratulating Sabalenka on the heels of defeat, Anisimova then sat down on her chair and looked overcome with emotion as the trophy presentation was being set up on court. 

Starting to cry, Anisimova was given a towel to mop her tears and offered kind words from tournament director Stacey Allaster. 

But the support could only do so much, with Anisimova sobbing into the towel moments after being left in peace by the former WTA chairman. 

Anisimova did admirably to pull herself together for the presentation where, after praising Sabalenka’s towering performance, she offered a heartbreaking assessment of her summer. 

‘It’s been a great summer,’ Anisimova told the crowd. ‘Losing two finals in a row is great, but it’s also super hard. 

‘I think I didn’t fight hard enough for my dreams tonight.’ 

Despite losing to the higher-ranked player, Anisimova will reach a career-high ranking of world No4 on the heels of reaching the final. 

But the move up the standings may prove cold comfort initially, with defeat coming less than two months after her 6-0, 6-0 defeat to Iga Swiatek in SW19^[9]. 

Sabalenka became the first woman in the over 10 years to successfully defend the trophy

But Anisimova will take home the second-place plate for the second time in just eight weeks

The former French Open semi-finalist was defeated in a 6-0, 6-0 thrashing on Centre Court

After the 57-minute masterclass from the Polish star^[10], Anisimova was gave a runner-up speech that was hailed for its poise and grace, with the former French Open semi-finalist praising Swiatek’s performance and thanking her mother and her team. 

‘She has put in more work than I have honestly,’ Anisimova said of her mother Olga. ‘My mum is the most selfless person I know. She has done everything to get me to this point in my life. 

‘So thank you for being here and breaking the superstition of flying in – it’s definitely not why I lost today.

‘I’m so happy that I get to share this moment and for you to be here and witness this in person.

‘I know you don’t get to see me live playing that much anymore because you do so much for my sister and I, I love you so much.

‘And the rest of my, thank you so much, not just the last two weeks but the whole journey.

‘Everything you guys do for me, I just don’t have the words. I honestly love you guys.’ 

Anismova had swift revenge on Swiatek on-court, beating the former US Open champion in the quarter-finals to set up her clash with Osaka.