American tennis sensation Amanda Anisimova has launched a stinging critique against the US Open organisers, branding a pivotal decision in her first-round match as "ridiculous" and asserting it directly influenced her shock exit from the tournament.
The contentious moment occurred at 5-2 down in the final set tie-break against Russian opponent Kamilla Rakhimova. As Anisimova prepared to serve to stay in the match, officials made the controversial call to close the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof due to impending rain, causing a significant delay.
"It's a ridiculous moment to close the roof," a visibly frustrated Anisimova stated in her post-match press conference. "I thought it was a huge disadvantage for me... I ended up losing the next two points and the match."
The 22-year-old, once a French Open semi-finalist, detailed the immense psychological shift caused by the interruption. The pause broke her concentration and momentum at the most critical juncture of the three-hour battle, allowing her opponent a crucial respite.
This incident has ignited a fresh debate about tournament protocols and the extent to which external decisions should influence the natural flow of a match, especially on the sport's grandest stages. Anisimova's forthright comments are sure to prompt discussions about player fairness and the application of rules during adverse weather conditions.
