The first-ever tennis event at the Prudential Center will showcase the talent of a Jersey Shore-born star taking on another top athlete.
Amanda Anisimova, 24, born in Freehold Township, will face Jessica Pegula in a clash of recent US Open finalists on Sunday, December 6 at the “A Racquet at The Rock” event. Although Anisimova lived most of her life in Florida, she was a Jersey girl before moving to the Sunshine State at age 3. The 2025 Wimbledon finalist is a little excited to play in front of her mother (Olga), family and friends who are planning to attend.
“A Racquet at The Rock” tennis event held at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on December 7, 2025
“(I) haven’t been back since I was little but I know the people are great because every time I travel and play tournaments there are fans from New Jersey,” Anisimova said. “I always have the best support from these people and I feel like they’re my biggest fans, so I think it’s super cool. I know that too, because everyone always tells me that Bruce Springsteen, the singer, is also from there, where I was born. So that’s a fun fact.”
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She currently ranks No. 4 in the world in career singles and has won three WTA Tour titles. Her first rise to major prominence came at the 2018 Indian Wells Open when she scored her first top 10 victory at age 16, against Petra Kvitová.
September 4, 2025; Flushing, New York, United States; Amanda Anisimova (USA) hits Naomi Osaka (JPN) (not pictured) on day twelve of the U.S. Open 2025 tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
When asked if she had any favorite foods or fun places in the Garden State, she was honest.
“I have no idea,” Anisimova said. “I’m hoping someone from there will give me some recommendations, I’ll be there for a few days. But yeah, if anyone has any recommendations for places to go or fun things to do, I’d love that.”
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The event will begin at 5:30 p.m., beginning with top juniors Ronit Karki and Jack Kennedy of East Brunswick competing against each other. Tickets are available https://www.prucenter.com/events/a-racquet-at-the-rock. Given that this is the first tennis event to be held in the Prudential Center’s more than 18-year history, Anisimova said the opportunity means a lot to her.
“I’m super excited,” Anisimova said. “I’ve heard it’s an amazing venue, so I’m looking forward to it. Plus, the lineup is great for the matches. It’ll be Carlos (Alcaraz), Francis (Tiafoe), Jess and me, so I’m sure it will be a lot of fun. Right now, putting on a tennis event and being a part of it is really special.”
July 8, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; USA’s Amanda Anisimova on Tennis Channel after winning her match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to earn a place in the semi-finals during day nine at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Mandatory credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
Coached by Rob Brandsma and Rick Vleeshouwers, her idols growing up were Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. As for the match itself, Anisimova is all about putting on a show and having fun.
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“She’s a fellow American, so of course I know her very well,” she said. “I’m just really happy to have another American girl alongside me to compete and have fun. She’s a great girl. She’s having fun off the field so I’m sure it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
This article was originally published on the Asbury Park Press: Amanda Anisimova returns to New Jersey for Prudential Center’s first tennis event
