Amanda Anisimova on US Open prep and reflection
Cydney Henderson asks 2x Grand Slam finalist Amanda Anisimova about her preparation for the US Open this year and reflecting on being a runner up last year.
Sports Seriously
NEW YORK — Gael Monfils probably best summed it up for any guys who have worked with their wives in any endeavor.
“Happy wife, happy life,” Monfils said about his wife Elina Svitolina in a post-match interview after their quarterfinals mixed doubles match against Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten, who upset No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic in the first round.
Monfils and Svitolina are on to the semifinals on Aug. 26 following the thrilling 5-4 (6), 4-5 (3), 10-8 victory, where they will play
The 39-year-old Monfils is playing in his 18th and final US Open before retiring at season’s end, and he came up with the shot of the tournament when, during the first set tiebreak, he somehow retrieved a forehand slam by Patten and then rifled a forehand winner of his own past Siniakova to delight the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“Yeah, yeah, I was checked out completely. It was also behind me, I think, so I kind of turned. In the side of my eye I saw, like, he’s running and keep running. I saw the ball actually landing in the court, so it is possible in his case,” Svitolina later admitted.
“Yeah, I was like wow, witnessing something unbelievable. I mean, we’ve seen quite few over the years this kind of pickup from him. Yeah, this one was also like one for the books.
Winning the tournament would be quite a windfall for two days of work, as $1 million is on the line for the victors. They are guaranteed at least $250,000 for reaching the semifinals.
The prospect of winning anything together in New York was foreign to the couple, who have been married since 2021 and have a three-year-old daughter, Skaï, as they did not know whether they would receive a wild-card entry to the tournament.
Svitolina even told her coach it would be amazing if they could win just a few games.
“The chemistry [was] what put us through because we understand each other even by the look at each other’s reaction or kind of mood,” she said. “We can find the right words for each other, which is great, and I think [that is] very helpful in mixed doubles because everything goes super quick, You have no time to be sad and upset.”
Monfils was smiling when asked about his thoughts on playing doubles with his wife, saying it is “definitely the first time and the last time.
“Last time?” Svitolina said, flashing an equally happy smile.
Win or lose, perhaps the tour’s most lovable couple continues to keep things realistic and in perspective, even if they are on the brink of a Grand Slam championship.
“Nice story, very nice story,” Monfils said. “But let’s focus on the semifinal first.”