Amanda Anisimova Confirms Comeback in Charlotte After Injury and Body Scrutiny

Amanda Anisimova will return to competitive tennis in a high-profile exhibition match this December, her first confirmed appearance since a wrist injury forced her out of a tournament last month. The American, ranked world No. 11, is scheduled to play four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka at the Charlotte Invitational on December 11.

Anisimova Withdraws from Singapore with Wrist Injury

Her path to Charlotte was interrupted by a physical setback. Anisimova withdrew from the WTA 500 Singapore Tennis Open in late September due to a left wrist injury. She had received a first-round bye and was slated to face Australia's Talia Gibson in the second round. Her most recent official match was a third-round loss to Anastasia Potapova at the 2026 US Open. The withdrawal in Singapore halted her search for a first title of the season, her last trophy coming at the Beijing event in 2025.

Social Media Storm Follows Physical Transformation

Shortly after the Singapore withdrawal, a separate storm erupted online. New training photos sparked widespread discussion about a noticeable change in Anisimova's physique, with some social media users speculating about the cause. The 25-year-old felt compelled to directly address the commentary on her Instagram story. "To all the health experts and professional body commentators in the comments, I’m not using Ozempic, please leave me alone," Anisimova wrote. This isn't the first time she has faced such scrutiny. She has previously described how similar criticism as a teenager led to unhealthy habits before she developed a better relationship with food and fitness.

Comeback Set for Charlotte Against Osaka

The Charlotte Invitational offers a fresh start. The one-night event at the Spectrum Center will feature Anisimova against Osaka in a marquee women's singles match, followed by a men's contest between Frances Tiafoe and Learner Tien. For Anisimova, it's a chance to test her wrist and form against elite competition in a controlled setting before the 2027 season kicks off. Her 2025 campaign was a breakthrough, featuring runs to the finals at Wimbledon and the US Open and wins at WTA 1000 events in Doha and Beijing, propelling her to a career-high ranking of world No. 3 earlier this year.

Key Takeaways from Anisimova's Current Situation:

• Scheduled to play Naomi Osaka in the Charlotte Invitational exhibition on December 11.
• Withdrew from September's Singapore Open due to a left wrist injury.
• Publicly denied using Ozempic after online speculation about her physical transformation.
• Reached a career-high ranking of world No. 3 in 2026 following a stellar 2025 season.