Laura Robson has admitted that her heart broke for Amanda Anisimova, not for losing the US Open final, but for what she said afterwards.
Tennis is one of the cruellest sports, and unlike any other, given the way it forces the loser to remain on court to speak after such crushing defeats.
It often delivers raw, emotional reactions, but it must be so difficult for players who have just seen their dreams dashed.
Amanda Anisimova has now had to deliver two runner-up speeches in one summer, and made a rather telling comment last night that exhibits the sadness felt after this particular US Open disappointment.
It certainly broke Robson’s heart, as she would claim live on Sky Sports.
Laura Robson reacts to what Amanda Anisimova said after losing the US Open final
Speaking to the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, it was one line in particular that drew such an emotional reaction from the British pundit.
Anisimova admitted: “I didn’t fight hard enough for my dreams.”
Robson reviewed such crushing words: “My heart broke for Anisimova when she said that she didn’t fight hard enough for her dreams. I just thought someone needs to give her a hug because she competed well.
“In my mind, she just got outplayed today.”
Ryan Harrison, a fellow pundit, then added: “I think she was referring to some of those moments where the emotions were getting to her when she made some mistakes. She is competing her hardest, but she is referring to that emotional control and wanted to have that maturity.
“But that will come with experience; this is only her second Grand Slam final.
“As Sabalenka said, she has the game. She is going to be back. And just as she improved from Wimbledon to this one, she is going to improve for the next one.”
Chris Evert pointed out a weakness she noticed in Anisimova’s game during that final, which she will need to fix to take that next step and become a Grand Slam champion.
Amanda Anisimova’s emotional summer comes to an end
Whilst losing a Grand Slam final is never easy, Anisimova has endured a particularly tough few months, with both of her high-profile defeats tough to take for varying reasons.
After all, at Wimbledon, she simply did not show up. She has said that herself.
The 6-0, 6-0 scoreline was truly extraordinary, and completely unlike anything we had ever seen before. Her tears upon the conclusion of the clash were justified, likely spurred on by embarrassment and supreme disappointment at failing to perform in her maiden major final.
Last night marked another emotional post-match reaction, despite having played to a much higher standard.
However, as Anisimova’s on-court interview suggests, it was not good enough for her, and not good enough for the title either.
