The 2025 Wimbledon Championships delivered a dramatic women’s semifinal on July 10, as World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka fell to American Amanda Anisimova in a gripping 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 battle on Centre Court. The two-hour, 35-minute clash, marked by blistering rallies and high stakes, saw Anisimova reach her first Grand Slam final, but it was Sabalenka’s on-court reactions and post-match comments that sparked a firestorm among tennis fans. The Belarusian star, known for her fiery competitiveness, found herself at the center of controversy over two incidents that critics deemed unsportsmanlike, though her gracious moments and reflective press conference added layers to the narrative.
The match was a showcase of power tennis, with Anisimova, the No. 13 seed, saving 11 of 14 break points to secure her spot against Iga Swiatek in the final. Yet, the contest was punctuated by tension. In the second set, at 2-3, Anisimova let out a loud grunt that Sabalenka interpreted as a premature celebration before the point concluded. “I was just trying to chase the ball, and yeah, she was already celebrating it,” Sabalenka said, visibly irked. “I was like, ‘I mean, that’s a bit too early.’” Anisimova later clarified, “I wasn’t celebrating. It was just a long grunt, I guess. I don’t really know what was the deal there.” The moment, which could have warranted a hindrance call, fueled Sabalenka’s fight, as she noted, “It actually helped me to keep fighting, and I’m like, okay, now I’m going to show you the tennis.”
Another flashpoint came in the decisive third set, during the seventh game, when Anisimova’s forehand clipped the net and dropped for a winner, giving her a 4-3 lead. Traditionally, players raise a hand in apology for net-cord points, but Anisimova instead celebrated, prompting a glare from Sabalenka. “I just looked at her and, for sure, she didn’t hear me, I was like, ‘You don’t want to say sorry?’” Sabalenka recounted. “She just wanted, I guess, badly to win this match. It’s on her.” Fans on social media erupted, with one writing, “At what point does the tennis community call out Sabalenka for her behaviour? Here she is bullying Anisimova for not saying sorry for a net cord point.” Others pointed to perceived hypocrisy, noting, “Girl, you scream your brains out when the ball is on your opponent’s side. Sit down,” referencing Sabalenka’s own loud grunting, a frequent target of criticism.
Despite the heat of the moment, Sabalenka’s actions weren’t without compassion. During two stoppages due to fans fainting in the sweltering Centre Court heat, she offered water and an ice pack, earning praise as a “class” act. Post-match, she shared a heartfelt hug with Anisimova, acknowledging her opponent’s superior play. “She was more brave today,” Sabalenka said. “Maybe when I was just trying to stay in the point, she was going for all.” Her press conference was a marked departure from her controversial Roland Garros outburst, where she faced backlash for downplaying Coco Gauff’s French Open win. “You’re not going to see a Roland Garros press conference,” she quipped with a smile, adding, “I just don’t want to face that hate again. We all can lose control over our emotions. It’s absolutely normal.”
Sabalenka’s Wimbledon journey has been fraught with challenges, including a 2022 ban due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a 2024 shoulder injury withdrawal. “I lost three semis, three tough ones,” she said, admitting to a “hate relationship” with the tournament but vowing, “I never give up, and I’m going to come back stronger.” Anisimova, meanwhile, called the win “indescribable,” crediting her physiotherapist for her resurgence after a mental health hiatus. As she prepares to face Swiatek, Sabalenka’s loss marks her third consecutive Wimbledon semifinal exit, leaving fans divided over her passion and her on-court demeanor.
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