Nisha Pandey

For elite athletes, stepping away from competition can look like giving up. For American tennis star <span>Amanda Anisimova</span>, it turned out to be an important part of finding her way back.

<span>Anisimova</span> stepped away from professional tennis in 2023, citing <span>burnout</span> and struggles with her mental health. Three years later, she says the experience has changed how she recognises stress and protects her wellbeing. 

Her story depicts what burnout can do to athletes and why taking a break can sometimes be part of recovery rather than a setback. 

<h2>Amanda Anisimova Stepped Away From Tennis At 21 </h2>

In May 2023, Anisimova announced an indefinite break from tennis, saying she had been struggling with <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/are-gaba-supplements-next-big-mental-health-trend-or-just-a-hype-article-151189631" data-type="tilCustomLink">mental health</a> and burnout since the previous summer.

At the time, she was just 21 and already an established professional. She later described the decision as one of the hardest she had made because she feared losing the ranking she had worked so hard to build. 

In a recent interview with <em>The Guardian</em>, Anisimova said she now recognises warning signs much earlier. She said there are days when feeling tired or unmotivated is normal, but it becomes concerning when those feelings keep happening and begin affecting how a person functions. 

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/student-mental-health-needs-more-than-a-counsellor-article-155976941" data-type="tilCustomLink">Student Mental Health Needs More Than A Counsellor</a>

<h2>Burnout Can Affect More Than Performance</h2>

<span>Athlete burnout</span> is not simply being exhausted after a demanding tournament. It can involve emotional and physical exhaustion, reduced motivation, irritability, loss of enjoyment and a sense of detachment from the sport. 

Constant training, competition, travel, injuries, pressure to perform and the expectation to remain competitive can contribute to <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/ways-your-body-is-signalling-you-are-having-a-burnout-article-151033334" data-type="tilCustomLink">burnout</a>.

For professional athletes, the distinction between work and personal life can also become blurred. Tennis players in particular spend much of the year travelling from tournament to tournament. They get little opportunity to establish a normal routine.

Anisimova said that spending time at home, nurturing social connections and doing things that are not related to her sport have become important parts of maintaining that balance. 

She said, "That’s something that I used to not prioritise so much: how to recharge myself and take time for myself, prioritise my wellbeing off the court. In the past, it was really just a lot of tennis and I didn’t really know how to incorporate those small breaks for myself. I think that’s a big reason why I reached such a breaking point and needed to take that time away from the sport.”

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/nba-star-kevin-love-says-robin-williams-changed-how-he-sees-depression-heres-why-symptoms-often-get-missed-article-155244592" data-type="tilCustomLink">NBA Star Kevin Love Says Robin Williams Changed How He Sees Depression; Here's Why Symptoms Often Get Missed</a>

<h2>Break Can Help Change The Relationship With Sport</h2>

During her time away, Anisimova returned to some ordinary activities that had little to do with tennis. She painted, spent time with friends and family, studied and took a step back from the tournament calendar.

She later described the experience as “very refreshing”, saying she regained energy and happiness after getting away from professional tennis. 

The important point is that recovery does not mean not pursuing your passion indefinitely. A break can help identify what is causing exhaustion and rebuild routines that support physical and <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/fight-flight-or-freeze-how-do-you-respond-to-stress-article-151172020" data-type="tilCustomLink">mental recovery</a>.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/long-working-hours-alter-our-brain-structure-article-151654218" data-type="tilCustomLink">Long Working Hours Alter Our Brain Structure</a>

Stress Epidemic in Urban India Impacting Brain Health, Expert Explains

Anisimova's experience also highlights why recognising early <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/bruce-willis-dementia-diagnosis-left-wife-emma-heming-feeling-lost-and-isolated-what-are-the-signs-of-caregivers-burnout-article-151767020" data-type="tilCustomLink">warning signs of burnout</a> is important. Persistent exhaustion, losing interest in something once enjoyed, constantly feeling overwhelmed, irritability, sleep problems and declining performance can all signal that an athlete needs to reassess their workload and seek support.

In her recent interview, Anisimova said she now tries to “catch the signs a lot earlier” and give herself time to reset before reaching the point she did in 2023. 

She has also said that prioritising her mental health made her a stronger athlete. “I don't think I would be where I'm at in my career if it wasn't for my break,” she said in a recent interview. 

Anisimova returned to competition in 2024 and subsequently produced the strongest stretch of her career, including reaching the Wimbledon and US Open finals in 2025 and climbing as high as world No. 3 in 2026.

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For elite athletes, stepping away from competition can look like giving up. For American tennis star Amanda Anisimova, it turned out to be an important part of finding her way back.Anisimova stepped away from professional tennis in 2023, citing burnout and struggles with her mental health. Three years later, she says the experience has changed how she recognises stress and protects her wellbeing. Her story depicts what burnout can do to athletes and why taking a break can sometimes be part of recovery rather than a setback. Amanda Anisimova Stepped Away From Tennis At 21 In May 2023, Anisimova announced an indefinite break from tennis, saying she had been struggling with mental health and burnout since the previous summer.At the time, she was just 21 and already an established professional. She later described the decision as one of the hardest she had made because she feared losing the ranking she had worked so hard to build. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Anisimova said she now recognises warning signs much earlier. She said there are days when feeling tired or unmotivated is normal, but it becomes concerning when those feelings keep happening and begin affecting how a person functions. Also read: Student Mental Health Needs More Than A CounsellorBurnout Can Affect More Than PerformanceAthlete burnout is not simply being exhausted after a demanding tournament. It can involve emotional and physical exhaustion, reduced motivation, irritability, loss of enjoyment and a sense of detachment from the sport. Constant training, competition, travel, injuries, pressure to perform and the expectation to remain competitive can contribute to burnout.For professional athletes, the distinction between work and personal life can also become blurred. Tennis players in particular spend much of the year travelling from tournament to tournament. They get little opportunity to establish a normal routine.Anisimova said that spending time at home, nurturing social connections and doing things that are not related to her sport have become important parts of maintaining that balance. She said, "That’s something that I used to not prioritise so much: how to recharge myself and take time for myself, prioritise my wellbeing off the court. In the past, it was really just a lot of tennis and I didn’t really know how to incorporate those small breaks for myself. I think that’s a big reason why I reached such a breaking point and needed to take that time away from the sport.”Also read: NBA Star Kevin Love Says Robin Williams Changed How He Sees Depression; Here's Why Symptoms Often Get MissedBreak Can Help Change The Relationship With SportDuring her time away, Anisimova returned to some ordinary activities that had little to do with tennis. She painted, spent time with friends and family, studied and took a step back from the tournament calendar.She later described the experience as “very refreshing”, saying she regained energy and happiness after getting away from professional tennis. The important point is that recovery does not mean not pursuing your passion indefinitely. A break can help identify what is causing exhaustion and rebuild routines that support physical and mental recovery.Also read: Long Working Hours Alter Our Brain StructureKnow When To Step Back                        Anisimova's experience also highlights why recognising early warning signs of burnout is important. Persistent exhaustion, losing interest in something once enjoyed, constantly feeling overwhelmed, irritability, sleep problems and declining performance can all signal that an athlete needs to reassess their workload and seek support.In her recent interview, Anisimova said she now tries to “catch the signs a lot earlier” and give herself time to reset before reaching the point she did in 2023. She has also said that prioritising her mental health made her a stronger athlete. “I don't think I would be where I'm at in my career if it wasn't for my break,” she said in a recent interview. Anisimova returned to competition in 2024 and subsequently produced the strongest stretch of her career, including reaching the Wimbledon and US Open finals in 2025 and climbing as high as world No. 3 in 2026.

Amanda Anisimova’s Mental Health Break From Tennis At 21 Sheds Light On How Burnout Can Impact Elite Athletes

amanda anisimova’s mental health break from tennis sheds light on how burnout can impact elite athletes

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