Exclusive: Konstantin Anisimov, father of Amanda Anisimova, found dead

–

Tragedy has hit 17-year-old rising American star Amanda Anisimova and her family.

Open Court has learned that Konstantin Anisimov, Anisimova’s father and longtime coach, was found dead Sunday.

There’s no confirmed information available yet as to what happened. Anisimov was not know to have been ill.

Apparently he was alone when he was found.

Anisimov was to celebrate his 53rd birthday two days later, on Aug. 20.

(Her agent, Max Eisenbud confirmed the news to ESPN’s Alyssa Roenigk late Tuesday, and IMG’s public-relations department also confirmed it to Open Court).

Anisimov and wife Olga moved to the U.S. from Russia in 1998 with their older daughter Maria, also a tennis player but now in the financial industry in New York. The Anisimovs were divorced in recent years.

Amanda was born three years later and, with her father as coach, quickly rose up the ranks and was a semifinalist at the French Open earlier this year.

But along with her meteoric rise – and the takeover of her career by the mammoth agency IMG, Anisimov the coach (although not the father) had been sidelined to a certain extent.

Anisimova turns 18 on Aug. 31.

We’re told Anisimova – understandably – is pulling out of the US Open, which begins in a week. She would have been the No. 24 seed, just two years after winning the junior event.

She had withdrawn from Toronto and Cincinnati with a back issue.

On Tuesday, the family released a short statement vie Anisimova’s reps.

“We are shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of our father. We appreciate the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time and ask that you respect our privacy.”

What an unspeakable tragedy for a young girl to have to deal with.

Sincere condolences to her as well as to the rest of her family.