Amanda Anisimova’s 2025 season has been a story of highs and heartbreaks. Just days after making her Top 5 debut in the WTA rankings with a stunning US Open run, the 23-year-old American has announced her withdrawal from the Korea Open Tennis Championships in Seoul.
The announcement came via Instagram, where Amanda admitted she was “so sad” to miss the tournament this year, especially after enjoying her debut there in 2024. It’s an emotional blow not only for her, but also for the Korean fans who were eager to see her back on court after her spectacular summer.
Anisimova’s run at the US Open proved she belongs at the very top of women’s tennis. Her runner-up finish was nothing short of inspirational, and it marked her arrival as one of the sport’s fiercest competitors. To then withdraw so quickly after such a breakthrough moment shows just how demanding life on tour can be. The ankle injury she picked up in New York seems to have caught up with her, and fans will be hoping she takes the time she needs to recover fully.
But Amanda isn’t the only American missing Seoul. Fellow countrywoman McCartney Kessler also pulled out, though hers was due to schedule changes — she’s been called up to the U.S. Billie Jean King Cup team alongside Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, Hailey Baptiste, and Taylor Townsend. With so much shifting in American tennis, Seoul will feel the absence of two bright stars.
The Korea Open will still feature big names, including world No. 2 Iga Swiatek, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Clara Tauson, Daria Kasatkina, and defending champion Beatriz Haddad Maia. Still, the shadow of Anisimova’s withdrawal looms large. She’s not just a player; she’s quickly becoming one of the tour’s most marketable and beloved stars.
For fans, the question is simple: How soon will Amanda be back? Her promise to return to Korea next year is comforting, but her journey to recovery is what will determine how fast she can regain her momentum.
For now, the tennis world waits, rooting for Anisimova to heal, rebuild, and return stronger than ever.
