Alysa Liu’s historic gold medal in figure skating at the Winter Olympics 2026 has elicited a jubilant reaction from the tennis world, including Coco Gauff and Amanda Anisimova. Liu was a child prodigy, storming to the US national title as a 13-year-old. She participated in the Winter Olympics and World Championships in 2022, claiming the bronze medal in the latter.
Liu then stunned the world and walked away from the sport in 2022, citing burnout and a desire to enjoy her teenage years away from the constant spotlight. However, she couldn’t stay away from the sport she loved for too long, and embarked on her comeback in 2024. She won the gold medal at the World Championships in 2025, and set her sights on claiming the topmost honors at the Winter Olympics 2026.
Liu has accomplished just that. She initially trailed her rivals Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai after the short program. However, the young American overtook them during the free skate program. Swirling gracefully to Donna Summer’s MacArthur Park, Liu enamored everyone with her flawless routine to take home the gold medal. She became the first American to win the gold in figure skating since Sarah Hughes in 2002.
Liu’s accomplishment lit up her fellow countrymen. Top American tennis pros, Gauff and Anisimova, along with Taylor Fritz’s girlfriend, Morgan Riddle, all took to Instagram to congratulate Liu on her achievement.
While Gauff and Anisimova keenly followed Liu’s progress at the Winter Olympics until now, both will now turn their attention towards their own upcoming matches. Both of them are in contention to reach the final of the WTA Dubai Open 2026.
Coco Gauff And Amanda Anisimova On Track To Meet In The Final Of The WTA Dubai Open 2026
Coco Gauff and Amanda Anisimova could lock horns in the final of the WTA Dubai Open 2026. However, both of them will first need to get past their respective semifinal opponents on Friday, February 20.
Anisimova will face fellow American Jessica Pegula in the first singles semifinal of the day, while Gauff will take on Elina Svitolina in the subsequent semifinal. Coincidentally, both of them lost to the same players in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open a few weeks ago.
Anisimova and Gauff’s most recent showdown took place at the China Open 2025. The latter was the defending champion, and lost to her compatriot in the semifinals. Both are gunning to reach their first final of the season in Dubai. However, with in-form opponents to deal with, either or both could stumble once again.
Also read:
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
