DOHA, Qatar — Anisimova Makes Her Mark
Amanda Anisimova’s victory at the 2025 Qatar TotalEnergies Open was a significant milestone in her career, marking her first WTA 1000 title and her third overall on the tour. Ranked No. 41 at the time, this triumph set the stage for a successful 2025 season in which she reached two Grand Slam finals and secured another 1000 title in Beijing.
Now returning to Doha as the No. 3 seed, Anisimova will face either Karolina Pliskova or Solana Sierra in the second round following a bye. Reflecting on her growth since last year, she stated, “I believe I’m largely the same person and player but with a wealth of new experiences.” She emphasized the confidence gained from her title win last year, which reinforced her ability to compete at a high level.
Having reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open this year, Anisimova experienced a tough loss against Jessica Pegula, but she remains satisfied with her performance in Melbourne. She noted that she has successfully integrated aspects of her training into her play, indicating a positive trajectory in her development.
Last year, Anisimova had a dominant run in Doha, winning four out of five matches in straight sets, including a challenging quarterfinal against Marta Kostyuk that she won after a comeback. “Winning that title last year was fantastic. It boosted my confidence and reaffirmed my capabilities to succeed in high-stakes matches,” she remarked.
Rybakina Returns Energized
Fresh off her second Grand Slam title at the 2026 Australian Open, World No. 3 Elena Rybakina briefly returned to Dubai for rest and celebration before heading to Doha. She mentioned the importance of maintaining her momentum, stating, “I had a little celebration with my team, but this competition is a chance to keep my performance going.”
Although Rybakina caught a minor cold on her return, she feels ready for the Qatar TotalEnergies Open and is looking to replicate her strong performance in Australia. She also received a bye into the second round, where she will meet the winner of Xinyu Wang and Emiliana Arango.
Quick Hits
Iga Swiatek on Improving Her Serve: “I’m working on stabilizing my toss and incorporating more body movements. It’s not about changing my motion but rather about refining my intentions during the motion, something crucial for all my strokes.”
Jasmine Paolini on Being an Olympic Torchbearer: “Carrying the Olympic flame was an honor. I dream of skiing, but I’ll wait until my career ends to try, as it’s too risky right now. I wish the best for all athletes in Italy for the upcoming games.”
