MIAMI — For Amanda Anisimova, the Miami Open is more than just a return home.
It also marks a significant return to the very place where her journey began.
The World No. 6 still radiates excitement when recalling her childhood experiences at this event, back when it was hosted in Key Biscayne. Long before she could imagine herself competing in the draw, she would spend full days on the grounds, observing, exploring, and soaking in the atmosphere.
Almost a decade after her WTA Tour main-draw debut here in 2017, Anisimova arrives with a fresh outlook — no longer the child in the stands, but one of the athletes whom fans now flock to see.
And with her primary residence located just a short drive away in Miami Beach, the sense of familiarity runs even deeper.
“I would frequent the Crandon Park site often as a kid, and I absolutely adored it,” the 24-year-old said about the former venue, which hosted the tournament from 1987-2018. “It was one of my favorite times of the year. I have many fond memories.”
She also remembers considering becoming a ball kid, but ultimately decided that the intensive training required for the role wasn’t worth the effort.
The two-time Grand Slam finalist on the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz vividly recalls watching Caroline Wozniacki, Roger Federer, and Victoria Azarenka play — and practice, when she was fortunate enough to secure a good vantage point. Yet, perhaps her most treasured memory was when tennis legends Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams signed her hat, which she then made sure to wear religiously for the entire subsequent year.
At the time, Anisimova never contemplated the idea that she might one day follow in those players’ footsteps.
“I was a genuine fan,” she explained. “Naturally, I played a lot and competed, but the dream felt so distant, and I was still very young. Maybe some children envision themselves reaching that level one day, but I don’t think it seemed realistic to me as a child.”
Anisimova not only reached that level; her professional career essentially launched there. That initial match against Taylor Townsend resulted in a tough three-set loss, but Anisimova returned the following year and triumphed over Qiang Wang in a match where she sustained a right foot injury in the third set. This would be her sole victory in Key Biscayne, as she subsequently withdrew from the tournament before her next match against Garbine Muguruza.
The following year, the Miami Open relocated to Hard Rock Stadium, and she continues to seek her significant breakthrough at this tournament that holds such personal importance. Her strongest performance came last year, when she halted Mirra Andreeva’s impressive 13-match winning streak before succumbing to Emma Raducanu in the fourth round.
This year, expectations are higher, and she enjoys the advantage of sleeping in her own bed. She also occasionally carpools to the stadium with friends, an added benefit that makes the tournament feel more enjoyable and familiar.
“I’m heading into this tournament with a positive feeling,” she stated. “I feel like I’ve played quite a few matches already this year and have been demonstrating strong tennis. So yes, I’m just happy to be here. I feel healthy. I’m simply looking forward to getting started, and hopefully, I can maintain this momentum.”
As the sixth seed, Anisimova received a bye into the second round, where she is scheduled to play Ajla Tomljanovic. Anisimova has failed to defeat the Australian in two previous attempts, though their last encounter was in 2021.