Anisimova has been open about her mental health, announcing that she would take a break from tennis in May 2023 due to burnout.
Taking time away from the circuit allowed her to focus attention and energy on other passions, and that happened to be painting, which she turned into a positive outlet for her mental health.
Under a project named ‘Art for hope’, Anisimova said, “Mental health is a crucial component of overall well-being. It affects how we feel, think, act, and can have a profound impact on our relationships, work, and daily life.”
Anisimova worked on several canvas paintings during her tennis break, which she put on display in a New York gallery ahead of selling them to raise funds for charities supporting mental health among other social causes.
“I always liked art when I was younger, so I bought canvases and paint and I thought I’d try it for fun,” she told the WTA upon her return in January 2024.
“It was just nice to take a break from the chaotic lifestyle of a tennis player and reset as a human. I gained a lot of energy back in myself and happiness. I slowed my life down and that’s something that I really needed.”
