Rick Macci Tips Amanda Anisimova as Surprise Dark Horse for Wimbledon 2025

As Wimbledon 2025 kicks off in full swing, all eyes are naturally drawn to the tournament’s top contenders: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, recent French Open champion Coco Gauff, and seasoned competitors like Elena Rybakina and Madison Keys. However, one of tennis’s most respected minds has offered a different perspective. Rick Macci, the former coach of Serena and Venus Williams and a legendary figure in American tennis coaching, believes the real threat might come from someone flying under the radar—Amanda Anisimova.

Anisimova, a 23-year-old American, has been gradually working her way back into elite form after a series of injuries and a brief hiatus from the sport. This summer, she has caught attention with her explosive return on grass courts, most notably at Queen’s Club, where she reached the final. But it was her opening-round performance at Wimbledon that truly made headlines: a dominant 6–0, 6–0 victory over world No. 33 Yulia Putintseva in just 43 minutes.

Macci, who has trained some of the most successful names in tennis, took to social media to praise Anisimova’s form and potential. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “Amanda hits the ball so clean and gets more value on the green. She can do damage in the draw and has the firepower on grass to win it all. The key is mentally if she can really believe she can achieve.”

The endorsement from Macci carries weight. Known for his uncanny ability to spot raw talent and nurture it into Grand Slam-winning caliber, his words suggest that Anisimova might be closer to a breakout moment than many realize. Her aggressive baseline play, natural timing, and powerful serve all translate exceptionally well to grass—a surface where precision and confidence are paramount.

Anisimova’s career has been a story of potential punctuated by both promise and challenge. In 2019, she reached the French Open semifinals at just 17 years old, marking herself as one of the brightest young stars on tour. But inconsistency, injuries, and off-court struggles, including the sudden loss of her father and coach, stalled her momentum. After stepping away from the tour in 2023 to prioritize her mental health, her recent resurgence feels not just like a comeback, but a reawakening.

If she can continue her form, Anisimova’s draw provides opportunities. While she is unseeded, she avoids top-ranked players in the early rounds. Possible matchups in later stages against players like Beatriz Haddad Maia or Jasmine Paolini are winnable if she maintains her current level. A potential clash with Coco Gauff or Aryna Sabalenka would be a true test—but also an opportunity for a breakout statement on the biggest stage.

Despite her unseeded status, the American has a unique blend of tools that could allow her to thrive at Wimbledon. Her ability to take the ball early, flatten her groundstrokes, and play fearless tennis aligns perfectly with grass court dynamics. But, as Macci points out, belief is the real differentiator. If Anisimova trusts in her own ability as much as her longtime supporters do, she could make a real run.

In the high-pressure environment of a Grand Slam, especially one as prestigious as Wimbledon, mental strength is often what separates contenders from champions. Macci’s comments shine a light on an often-overlooked truth in tennis: talent opens the door, but mindset walks through it.

As the tournament unfolds, Amanda Anisimova may very well turn heads—not just because she wins matches, but because she plays with the conviction of someone who’s ready to reclaim her place among the elite. For now, she remains the dark horse. But if she keeps playing like she did in the first round, it may not be long before she becomes the headline act.