Amanda Anisimova is one of America’s finest tennis stars.The 23-year-old is out to cause a major upset in the Wimbledon semifinals, where she will be hoping to topple World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on Centre Court. Anisimova has reached the Wimbledon semis for the first time and is out for an upsetGettyBut despite enjoying plenty of success on the court this year — and having the chance to make waves at the All England Club, Anisimova is still eyeing a career beyond tennis.The recent runner-up at Queens has previously revealed she has a passion for medicine.“If I didn’t play tennis, I’d want to be a surgeon,” she told the New York Times.“Actually what I want to do is go to online college while I’m in my pro career and then go to med school after I finish.”As Anisimova continues to flourish on the court, she may have to put dreams of full-time study on hold to concentrate on challenging the best in the world. Her recent rise, which has seen her hit a career high WTA ranking of 13, came after a break she took in 2023, citing burnout and concerns for her mental health. That time off, Anisimova recently explained, has held her ‘reset’ for a Wimbledon showdown. “I think it was just more of a necessary thing to kind of reset with where I was at in my life and career-wise,” she said.“It was just something that I needed to do kind of for myself. I feel like that really served me, definitely.“Coming out of that break, it wasn’t all upward. There were definitely some ups and downs coming out of it and getting used to the lifestyle and just being an athlete at this level.Anisimova has made a Wimbledon run after taking a break from tennis in 2023Getty“It’s not easy. I definitely had to find my way back, really work on the fitness side, and definitely get in my hours of training.“It’s been a journey. I feel like since last summer, it’s really trended upwards for me. I finally found my game and my confidence.”Anisimova began 2025 by earning her first WTA 1000 title at the Qatar Open, overcoming Jelena Ostapenko in a thrilling final.That win brought her into the top 20 world rankings for the first time, after years of climbing up the leaderboards.Her championship in Doha is even more stunning when considering her draw. Anisimova earned straight-set victories over Victoria Azarenka and Australian Open semifinalist Paula Badosa in Qatar.Anisimova enjoyed a strong start to the 2025 season and won in DohaGETTYWith that, she became the first American since Serena Williams in 2007 to defeat six top-40 opponents at a single event.Although, those who have kept an eye on her career will know that wasn’t the first time she’s made waves in tennis.Despite being 23, Anisimova has been on tour for the best part of a decade.She made her professional debut back in 2016 as a 14-year-old, beating Veronica Cepede Royg in the US Open qualifiers.Anisimova, now 23, has been on tour since 2016 after debuting as a 14-year-oldGETTYShe came into Wimbledon in good form having finished as the runner-up at QueensGETTYAnisimova would officially announce herself when, in 2019, the then 17-year-old made a remarkable run to the French Open semis.She was unseeded in that tournament, and her journey to the final four included wins over Sabalenka and Simona Halep.It was also a record-breaking tournament as she became the first player born in the 21st century to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal and semi.It took Anisimova three years to reach another Grand Slam last eight, and when she did, the American made headlines again.She beat compatriot Coco Gauff in an emotional victory at Wimbledon that took the tennis world by storm.Anisimova lost the first set but rallied to dominate the next two, for a remarkable 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-2 win.“It’s my first time playing on Centre Court, it’s the most special day, I think, of my career,” Anisimova said. “It’s just a huge privilege to play on this court. I was so excited, playing Coco, she’s an amazing player, just got to the final of a slam. “I was so excited to play and I wanted to soak in this moment. Winning today is so special.”While Anisimova called that win against Gauff a ‘special day’, she has already bettered it in 2025.She will now meet Sabalenka in her first Wimbledon semifinal, having beaten Yulia Putintseva, who she left in tears, Renata Zarazua, Dalma Galfi, Linda Noskova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to reach the last four. Anisimova caused a massive upset in a Wimbledon win over Gauff in 2022GETTYShe is now looking to beat Sabalenka for a spot in the Wimbledon finalGettyIn doing so, Anisimova has become the first woman born in the 2000s to reach this stage, which marks another impressive milestone for the young star who now has hopes of toppling the best player on tour.“We’ve had a lot of difficult matches. Every single match we’ve played, I mean, it’s always been tough,” she said, previewing the clash. “We’ve gone three sets in a lot of them. I think we’re both big hitters, and big hitters like to go at it against each other. “I feel like we always bring the best in each other’s game, and we always raise the level when we play against each other. I always enjoy the challenge that she brings. I’m sure it’s the same vice versa.”