On July 12, 2025, Amanda Anisimova faced a heart-wrenching moment on Wimbledon’s Centre Court, suffering a 6-0, 6-0 defeat to Iga Swiatek in the women’s singles final. The 57-minute thrashing, the first “double bagel” in a Wimbledon final since 1911, left the 23-year-old American in tears, overwhelmed by nerves and fatigue in her first Grand Slam final. Yet, amidst the disappointment, Nick Kyrgios, the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up, offered a powerful message of support, urging Anisimova to keep perspective. “Who cares?” Kyrgios said on TNT Sports’ Wimbledon Watchalong, emphasizing that her journey to the final was a triumph in itself. “We don’t want to take away the fact that she still made a Wimbledon final.” His words, echoed by peers like Coco Gauff and Daria Kasatkina, highlighted the tennis community’s solidarity as Anisimova vows to return stronger.
Anisimova’s path to the final was a story of resilience. After taking a mental health break in 2023 following her father’s death and years of burnout, she returned in 2024 ranked 189th, failing to qualify for Wimbledon. By 2025, she had climbed to No. 13, stunning world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, to reach her first major final. “My fighting spirit has gotten me to the final today,” she said post-match, crediting her ability to stay focused despite imperfect play. However, against Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, Anisimova admitted she “froze” under pressure. “From my side, I think I was a bit frozen there with my nerves,” she told reporters, noting 28 unforced errors and a mere 26% first-serve point win rate. Fatigue also played a role; she skipped practice the day before and struggled physically, saying, “I had to take a break after every single rally” during warm-ups.
Kyrgios, joined by Coco Vandeweghe and Dan Evans on the broadcast, empathized with Anisimova’s plight. “I think we’ve all been in that position before where we felt extremely uncomfortable on the court, where everything has gone wrong, you’ve done everything in your power to prepare but nothing hits the mark,” he said. His bold suggestion to “tank” the first set at 4-0 down—jokingly proposing “four underarms” to disrupt Swiatek’s rhythm—reflected his unconventional approach, recalling his own tactics against Brandon Nakashima in 2022. “That match was yesterday, and she’s going to have so much improvement for next time, so it doesn’t really matter,” he added, focusing on her remarkable turnaround from a year ago when she was ranked outside the top 100.
The tennis world rallied around Anisimova. Coco Gauff, the 2025 French Open champion, posted, “So much to be proud of Amanda❤️❤️❤️ keep your head up 👑,” while Daria Kasatkina wrote, “I just wanna hug Amanda💔,” capturing the emotional weight of the loss. Catherine, Princess of Wales, consoled Anisimova during the trophy ceremony, saying, “Keep your head high,” words that left the American emotional again. “She was really kind,” Anisimova said of the princess, whose presence added warmth to a tough moment. Anisimova’s tearful speech honored her mother, Olga, who made a rare trip to London: “My mom is the most selfless person I know, and she’s done everything to get me to this point in my life.” Her lighthearted quip, “It’s definitely not why I lost today,” eased the tension, showing her resilience.
Despite the defeat, Anisimova’s 2025 season has been a career-defining comeback. Her WTA 1000 title in Doha and top-10 debut at No. 7 mark her as a rising star. “I feel like the last two weeks Ive learned that you’re never going to be perfect,” she reflected, embracing her imperfections. Her journey mirrors others like Sabalenka, who overcame early Grand Slam setbacks to win three majors. Kyrgios praised her trajectory: “Where she was a year ago, losing in qualifying and then having a turnaround and making a Wimbledon final. That’s pretty insane in itself.” As Anisimova eyes the US Open, her peers’ support and her own resolve—“I’m going to keep putting in the work”—signal a bright future. The Centre Court heartbreak, though painful, is a stepping stone for a player whose potential remains boundless.
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