Amanda Anisimova delivered one of the most charming moments during the inaugural ‘A Racquet at The Rock’ showcase when she named an unlikely candidate for the job of “ideal surgeon.” Asked during a lighthearted media day prompt who she believed would thrive in the operating room, the 2025 Wimbledon and US Open finalist didn’t hesitate to nominate former World No. 1 Iga Świątek.
Amanda Anisimova’s Fun Nod to Iga Świątek Added Spark to the Newark Showcase
The exchange took place during the Prudential Center’s first-ever tennis showcase on Dec. 7. The venue was transformed for one night into a stage featuring two best-of-three singles matches and a special mixed doubles exhibition, spotlighting some of the sport’s biggest names.
The singles slate received extra attention after Emma Raducanu withdrew from both the Newark and Miami exhibitions in mid-October due to lingering issues from her trip to China, which were later traced to light bone bruising in her right foot.
Jessica Pegula stepped in as Raducanu’s replacement for both events, shifting the dynamics of the December lineup and setting up a fresh matchup between two Grand Slam finalists. The evening also includes a high-profile showdown between six-time Major champion and reigning US Open winner Carlos Alcaraz and two-time New York semifinalist Frances Tiafoe.
The humorous moment unfolded in a behind-the-scenes video from the Newark media day, where Anisimova was asked, “What do you think would make a good surgeon?” Without missing a beat, she offered Świątek as her top choice, explaining her reasoning with a smile.
“Oh my gosh, I feel like probably Iga [Świątek]. Seems like she’s very book smart and she’s like one of the most focused people I’ve ever seen, so I think she would be perfect for the job.”
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The New Jersey event serves as the immediate prelude to the Miami Invitational on December 8 at loanDepot Park, which marks the first professional tennis competition ever staged at the Miami Marlins’ ballpark. Anisimova, Pegula, Alcaraz, and 19-year-old Brazilian prospect João Fonseca are set to anchor the singles field at that event as well.
How Has Anisimova’s 2025 Campaign Elevated Her Standing in Tennis?
This year marked one of Anisimova’s strongest campaigns, highlighted by breakthrough WTA 1000 triumphs in Doha and Beijing and deep runs to the championship matches at both Wimbledon and the US Open. Her steady performance across the calendar pushed her to a career-best of No. 4 in the WTA rankings.
She closed out the season with an impressive 47-18 match record and more than $7.26 million in prize money. Her year also featured several career milestones, including her first two WTA 1000 crowns, multiple victories over Top 5 opponents, and a spot in the WTA Finals.
