One of the most renowned carry players in Dota 2 and two-time The International (TI) winner, Anathan "ana" Pham, has once again teased fans with a possible return to competitive Dota, playing 82 games in just 8 days according to Dota 2 Pro Tracker.
With tournaments like the Riyadh Masters 2023 and The International 12 on the horizon, fans eagerly anticipate ana's potential participation and the impact he could have on the tournaments.
Ana’s yearly hiatus in Dota 2 is ending?
The two-time TI winner is notoriously known for taking a break for the entire season of competitive Dota 2, coming back around the time The International begins.
This pattern strongly suggests that the player may be gearing up to potentially grab a spot as a stand-in in upcoming tournaments. While the Riyadh Masters 2023 is not comparable to the prestige of The International 12 (TI12), the event features a massive prize pool of $15 Million USD which could be a motivating factor for the Australian carry player.
Ana's past breaks from competitive Dota 2
After achieving back-to-back victories at The International 8 and The International 9 with OG, ana surprised fans by announcing his retirement from competitive Dota 2. Despite brief stints as a stand-in for teams like Royal Never Give Up and Team Liquid, as well as a short run with T1, ana has largely been absent from the professional scene.
However, his history of returning around the summer, just before The International, has raised hopes of another comeback.
As fans eagerly await official confirmation of his participation, ana's potential return to the professional scene brings excitement and anticipation to tournaments like the Riyadh Masters 2023 and The International 12. With his impressive track record and undeniable talent, ana's participation in these tournaments would surely delight fans all around the world.