Tennis pro Amanda Anisimova will never regret pressing pause on her successful career to focus on her mental health.
“I think there’s actually a lot of strength in being vulnerable and honest about your experiences,” Anisimova, 24, exclusively shared with Us on Monday, August 24, while partnering with Pure Leaf Iced Tea. “I feel like when I took my break, and I was really honest about my experiences and why I took the break, I felt like that really resonated with a lot of people — not just athletes, but also fans.”
She continued, “Me getting the chance to connect with people in that way has completely changed my life, and also has made me a stronger athlete. I feel like I’m just able to be more authentic and more myself, which actually made me a much better athlete.”
In May 2023, Anisimova took an indefinite mental health break from professional tennis. She returned to the tour in January 2024 after an eight-month absence and became a finalist at Wimbledon in July 2025.
This week, she is back in New York City ready to win big in the US Open. She’s also teaming up with Pure Leaf to give fans a new way to tap into the excitement of peak tennis season with the brand’s new Set Break collection.
Beginning Sunday, August 30, and continuing throughout the height of tennis season, fans can enter for a chance to win one-of-a-kind tennis-inspired items by commenting on various Pure Leaf’s Instagram posts.
Amanda Anisimova Courtesy of Pure Leaf
“I’m so excited to partner up with Pure Leaf. It’s actually a beverage that I’ve been drinking ever since I was little, and my mom is also a huge fan,” Anisimova said. “I really like everything that they embody, and the message that they try to send about taking breaks and how important that is — not just for the general public, but also for pro athletes like myself.”
Although Anisimova has her head in the game as the US Open kicks into high gear, she loves enjoying life’s simple pleasures when she has a day off.
Whether enjoying a pool day with a Pure Leaf beverage, listening to Gracie Abrams and Olivia Dean’s biggest hits or watching The Office, Anisimova is a supporter of taking care of oneself when life gets busy.
“I think that’s something that we all experience. It’s a human thing to go through, and we all have our bad days or bad weeks,” she said. “I’m someone who really is strong about routines, or even finding a few things that really work for yourself. … Sometimes, you just need a break for yourself.”
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