Amanda Anisimova walked away from tennis two years ago. On Saturday, she’ll play in the Wimbledon final.

Amanda Anisimova, the 12th-ranked women’s tennis player in the world, advanced to the Wimbledon final by shocking top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals Thursday.

Amanda Anisimova, the 12th-ranked women’s tennis player in the world, advanced to the Wimbledon final by shocking top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals Thursday. If she defeats No. 8 Iga Swiatek on Saturday, she’ll capture her first Grand Slam title.

The accomplishment is even more improbable knowing Anisimova temporarily left the sport to focus on her mental health just two years ago.

“I’ve really been struggling with my mental health and burnout since the summer of 2022,” Anisimova wrote on social media on May 5, 2023. “It’s become unbearable being at tennis tournaments. At this point, my priority is my mental well-being and taking a break for some time. I’ve worked as hard as I could to push through it. I will miss being out there, and I appreciate all the continuous support.”

After she lost in the first round of the Madrid Open in May 2023, Anisimova realized she needed time off. Citing her mental health, she announced on Instagram she would be taking an indefinite leave.

It was a surprising decision from a player who had climbed as high as No. 21 in the WTA rankings.