Amanda Anisimova’s Ranking Faces Challenges During Grass-Court Season, WTA Analysts Say
Amanda Anisimova’s world ranking could decline during the grass-court swing after a mixed performance in recent tournaments, according to WTA analysts. The 23-year-old American, who reached the quarter-finals of last year’s Berlin Open, has struggled to maintain consistency on grass courts, a surface where she has historically underperformed, according to data from the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).
Strong Start in Berlin, but Grass-Court Form Remains a Concern
Anisimova’s 2023 campaign included a notable run at the Istanbul Open, where she reached the semifinals, but her performance on grass courts has been inconsistent. At the 2023 Berlin Open, she defeated Bianca Andreescu in the third round before falling to Petra Kvitová in the quarters, according to tournament records. However, her results at the 2024 grass-court events, including the Aegon Open and the Nottingham Open, have been underwhelming, with early exits in both tournaments.
Why Grass Courts Pose a Challenge for Anisimova
Grass courts favor players with aggressive, serve-and-volley styles, which differ from Anisimova’s baseline-oriented game. “Her movement and shot selection are better suited to clay or hard courts,” said tennis analyst Mark Hodgkinson, citing data from the 2023 WTA season. Anisimova’s grass-court win-loss record since 2021 stands at 12-11, compared to a 28-9 record on clay and a 25-10 record on hard courts, according to official WTA statistics.
Impact on Ranking and Future Tournaments
Anisimova currently holds the No. 17 seed in the WTA rankings. However, her lack of strong results on grass courts could jeopardize her position ahead of the Wimbledon Championships, where top-16 seeds receive automatic entry. “If she doesn’t perform well in the next few tournaments, she risks falling out of the top 15,” said WTA spokesperson Emma Lohmann. Anisimova’s next major test comes at the 2024 Eastbourne International, a pre-Wimbledon tune-up event.
Comparing Anisimova’s Surface Performance to Peers
Anisimova’s grass-court struggles contrast with players like Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, who have dominated on the surface in 2024. Sabalenka, the No. 1 player, won the 2024 Eastbourne title, while Gauff reached the semifinals. Anisimova’s 2024 grass-court results—two first-round exits and one quarterfinal—fall short of the consistency required to secure a top seed at Wimbledon.
What’s Next for Anisimova?
To stabilize her ranking, Anisimova will need to secure results in upcoming grass-court events. Her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, has emphasized adjusting her strategy for faster surfaces. “She needs to be more aggressive at the net and reduce unforced errors,” he said in a recent interview. Anisimova’s performance in Eastbourne and the Wimbledon warm-ups will be critical in determining her prospects for the grass-court season.
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