The tennis world took a turn when Amanda Anisimova, just off a run to the US Open final, announced that she is pulling out of the WTA 500 Korea Open 2025. For Anisimova, this is not just another DNS. Fans still remember the heartbreak from her Instagram story, where she laid out her disappointment and hopes for next year.
The timing, right after one of the biggest moments of her young career, has everyone asking the same thing: what’s really going on with the American star?
Why Did Amanda Anisimova Withdraw From the Korea Open?
Anisimova shared the tough news about missing the Korea Open through her Instagram story. She reposted the tournament’s official announcement and included her own heartfelt message.
“I’m SO sad to miss Korea this year, as I really enjoyed my time there last year. I really hope to be back next year so sorry and see you guys there soon,” she wrote with a heart emoji.
The Korea Open’s official account revealed the actual reason for Anisimova’s decision. According to their official statement, she withdrew because of an ankle injury sustained during the US Open. Tournament organizers expressed understanding and wished her a quick recovery, saying they hope to see her back next year.
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This situation adds to Anisimova’s track record of dealing with physical setbacks. Last year at the same event, she had to retire from her second-round match against Viktoriya Tomova while trailing 7-5, 4-1.
Anisimova’s Breakthrough Year Shows Promise Despite Major Setbacks
Despite this latest withdrawal, Anisimova has delivered some big moments at the Korea Open before. In 2024, she made a strong start by beating sixth seed Yulia Putintseva in straight sets. That early momentum was cut short when she retired against Tomova, but her overall form in the 2025 campaign has grabbed everyone’s attention.
The American built a 2025 season that fans are going to talk about for a long time. She grabbed her first WTA 1000 title in Doha back in February. That win came after she beat Jelena Ostapenko in the final, taking it in straight sets. At the time, Anisimova was ranked 41 globally, making her the lowest-ranked champion in that tournament’s history. This win pushed her into the top 20 for the first time in her career.
FIRST WTA 1000 TITLE! 🏆🏆🏆🏆@AnisimovaAmanda defeats Ostapenko 6-4, 6-3 and is crowned the champion in Doha.#QatarTotalEnergiesOpen pic.twitter.com/9TyBna6eCP
— wta (@WTA) February 15, 2025
Anisimova made more waves by reaching the Wimbledon final in July. However, that match was rough, losing to Iga Świątek in a tough 6-0, 6-0 loss. For a lot of players, it could wreck their confidence, but she found a way to respond on the biggest stage in New York.
This time around, her quarterfinal win over Świątek at the US Open gave Anisimova some sweet payback after the Wimbledon loss. She took that one 6-4, 6-3 and punched her ticket to a first US Open semifinal. Then came the late-night showdown with former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka. It wrapped up just before 1 a.m., with Anisimova surviving in three sets.
Amanda Anisimova officially joins the Top-5 🫶 pic.twitter.com/VlSlM6Y2kX
— TENNIS (@Tennis) September 8, 2025
In the final against Aryna Sabalenka, Anisimova lost 6-3, 7-6(3), showing she had bounced back from Wimbledon and raised her level again. That run helped her move up to a career-best No. 4 in the world.
Looking ahead, missing the Korea Open this year might actually give Anisimova the recovery break she needs before the final tournaments of the year.
