The 2025 Wimbledon women’s final was a moment of triumph for Iga Swiatek, but for Amanda Anisimova, it was a harrowing 57-minute ordeal that ended in a rare 6-0, 6-0 loss—the first double-bagel in a Wimbledon final since 1911. The American, in her first Grand Slam final at just 23, faced a relentless Swiatek, whose precision and aggression left no room for recovery. In the aftermath, Anisimova bravely opened up about the physical and mental toll that contributed to her defeat, offering a candid reflection on a day when her body and nerves betrayed her, while emphasizing the resilience that will fuel her comeback.
Anisimova’s journey to the final was a story of redemption. After taking an eight-month break from tennis in 2023 to address burnout and mental health struggles, she roared back, climbing from outside the top 400 to a career-high world number seven. Her semi-final upset over world number one Aryna Sabalenka, a grueling three-set battle lasting nearly two hours and 40 minutes, showcased her lethal backhand and fearless baseline game. Yet, the physical demands of her six consecutive wins, totaling over 10 hours on court, left her depleted. “I didn’t practice yesterday and I think that I was just really fatigued,” Anisimova admitted, revealing a critical “red flag” before the final. During her Saturday morning warm-up, she struggled, needing breaks after every rally. “I mean, I had to take a break after every single rally out there in my warm-up,” she said, pinpointing her physicality as a key area for improvement. “To be able to last two weeks in a Grand Slam is definitely something that you need to work a lot on. It’s not an easy feat.”
The match itself was a brutal display of Swiatek’s dominance. The Polish star, overcoming her own grass-court struggles, broke Anisimova’s serve in the opening game, setting the tone for a one-sided affair. Anisimova’s nerves were evident from the start, her usually reliable backhand faltering with 28 unforced errors—14 in the first set alone—and a dismal 33% first-serve percentage, compounded by five double faults. “I think I was a bit frozen there with my nerves,” she confessed, acknowledging the weight of Centre Court’s spotlight. The sweltering 31°C heat didn’t help, as Anisimova, possibly hampered by a shoulder issue, noted, “It was definitely hurting a bit in my warm-up.” Swiatek, by contrast, was clinical, landing 80% of her first serves and exploiting Anisimova’s off-balance positioning with her signature inside-out backhand. “She came out playing very, very well,” Anisimova said, giving credit to her opponent. “She’s an unbelievable player.”
Despite the crushing defeat, Anisimova’s grace shone through. Fighting back tears during her on-court speech, she thanked her mother, who flew in overnight, and the supportive Centre Court crowd. “It’s been an incredible fortnight for me—even though I ran out of gas,” she said, her voice trembling. “I wish I could have put on a better performance for you today.” Her journey, marked by a WTA title in Qatar and a semi-final win over Sabalenka, was a testament to her resilience after personal tragedies, including the loss of her father and coach, Konstantin, in 2019. “I know I didn’t have enough today, but I’ll keep putting in the work,” she vowed, expressing hope to return stronger. “I’ll keep believing in myself, and I hope to be back here one day.”
Swiatek, meanwhile, celebrated a landmark victory, becoming the first Polish Wimbledon singles champion and the youngest woman since Serena Williams in 2002 to win majors on all three surfaces. “It seems super surreal,” she said, reflecting on a win she “didn’t even dream of” given her past struggles on grass. Her flawless 6-0 record in Grand Slam finals and 100th major match win cemented her status as a generational talent. For Anisimova, the loss was painful but a learning experience. Drawing inspiration from men’s finalists Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, she noted their ability to handle pressure, saying, “They don’t make easy mistakes.” As she looks to future Slams, Anisimova’s focus is clear: bolster her endurance and harness her experience to conquer the sport’s biggest stages.
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