Former semifinalist launches eighth main draw campaign in Paris
“Coucou” called stateside star Amanda Anismova with a warm smile, using the colloquial French term to say ‘hi!’ Anisimova is well and truly back.
Paris will always hold a special place in her heart, the American having made her Grand Slam debut in Porte d’Auteuil as a wild card in 2017.
“I feel old,” Anisimova joked, moments after defying home hope Sarah Rakotomanga 6-3, 6-1 on Monday evening to ignite her Roland-Garros 2026 campaign.
The No.6 seed withdrew from WTA 1000 action in Madrid and Rome due to a left wrist injury, but seemed in the groove on a sweltering Court Suzanne-Lenglen during the Day 2 afternoon session.
“It’s so good to be back here," she said. "I absolutely love playing at Roland-Garros. I have so many great memories.”
“It’s been a tough couple of months. Injuries are part of the sport and I’ve done everything I could to be ready for this tournament. So, I’m really happy to be through to the next round.”
The 24-year-old isn’t fazed by a lack of competitive action, despite her last match being completed in late March on the blue hard courts at the Miami Open. She has recently changed her coaching set-up and is now working with Sebastian Sachs.
“I felt like I had three pre-seasons in a row,” she joked. “It’s been a lot of training and honestly we don’t get time for a lot of that, so I tried to use the time. I’m feeling good.
“This sport is also unpredictable in its nature, you have to be ready for anything. I just tried to put it out of my mind that I haven’t played a clay court match in a while.
“I turned it to the opposite view, that I get to play a match on clay. This being my first clay tournament isn’t too bad (laughing). I’m really, really happy and I don’t have anything but positive thoughts to be here, healthy and playing.”
Anisimova enjoyed a breakout major in Paris en route to the Roland-Garros 2019 semifinals, and in 2025 took runner-up trophies at Wimbledon and the US Open. She will next take her experience and power into a clash with Austria’s Julia Grabher.
“It’s my eighth time here!" she said. "For sure it’s really great to have experience. I’ve been here so many times that it almost feels like my second home. I know my way around for sure.”
“I can use the experience, it’s a huge advantage and I feel like I learned a lot of lessons last year. I also had a lot of great memories and I’m really just trying to carry those through into this year.”
ROLAND-GARROS
18 May - 7 June 2026
