Alysa Liu's Gold Medal Inspires Amanda Anisimova's Return to Roots

Anisimova finds motivation in fellow young athlete's joyful, independent approach to her sport.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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After taking a break from tennis for mental health reasons, 24-year-old Amanda Anisimova has found inspiration in the gold medal-winning performance of figure skater Alysa Liu at the 2026 Olympics. Anisimova sees similarities in their paths, as both young athletes needed to step away from their sport at times, and she admires Liu's independent spirit and ability to maintain a healthy balance between training and enjoying life. Anisimova says watching Liu skate with such freedom and joy has helped her recenter and rediscover the mindset that led to her own success.

Why it matters

Anisimova's story highlights the challenges young athletes can face in maintaining their mental health and sense of self amidst the intense pressures of professional sports. Liu's inspiring performance and approach to the sport provides a model for how athletes can find the right balance and stay true to themselves, which can be crucial for long-term success and fulfillment.

The details

Anisimova, who reached a pair of Grand Slam finals in 2025, stepped away from tennis in May 2023 for mental health reasons. She says she was putting too much pressure on herself and trying to be "an overperfectionist." Watching Liu, the 18-year-old Oakland native who won gold in figure skating at the 2026 Olympics, reminded Anisimova to enjoy what she's doing and not take things too seriously. Anisimova sees similarities in their paths, as both young athletes needed to step away from their sport at times, and she admires Liu's independent spirit and ability to maintain a healthy balance between training and enjoying life.

  • Anisimova stepped away from tennis in May 2023.
  • Anisimova reached a pair of Grand Slam finals in 2025.
  • Liu won the gold medal in figure skating at the 2026 Olympics.

The players

Amanda Anisimova

A 24-year-old American professional tennis player who has reached a pair of Grand Slam finals.

Alysa Liu

An 18-year-old American figure skater who won the gold medal at the 2026 Olympics in Milano-Cortina.

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What they’re saying

“I think she just has a good balance. She doesn't only train, train, train, and have to miss out on everything. I can agree with her on that. But you still have to balance the two or else you won't perform at that level.”

— Amanda Anisimova, Professional tennis player (tennisnow.com)

“It was refreshing, because I feel I might have shifted a little bit away from that in the beginning of the year. I feel like I was putting a lot of pressure on myself and trying to be like an overperfectionist in what I'm doing, and really try to improve. That kind of took away from everything that made my year last year what it was.”

— Amanda Anisimova, Professional tennis player (tennisnow.com)

“I saw a lot of similarities. She's definitely more on the extreme end, which I love. It looks like she doesn't care about anything, and I absolutely love that, and it seems to be very much her personality.”

— Amanda Anisimova, Professional tennis player (tennisnow.com)

What’s next

Anisimova will face Victoria Mboko in the round of 16 at an upcoming tournament.

The takeaway

Anisimova's story shows how young athletes can find inspiration and motivation in each other's journeys, especially when it comes to maintaining a healthy balance and staying true to oneself amidst the intense pressures of professional sports.