On July 12, 2025, Iga Swiatek etched her name into Wimbledon history with a breathtaking 6-0, 6-0 rout of Amanda Anisimova in the women’s final, securing her first title at the All England Club and her sixth Grand Slam overall. The 23-year-old Pole’s commanding performance, a rare “double bagel” in a Grand Slam final, showcased her relentless precision and solidified her nickname, “Iga’s Bakery.” However, the triumph was overshadowed by a fiery social media clash when Brad Gilbert, Coco Gauff’s former coach, labeled the match a “sad day for tennis,” prompting a sharp rebuke from Swiatek’s physiotherapist, Maciej Ryszczuk, who called the comment a “low blow.” This drama added a layer of intrigue to Swiatek’s historic achievement, highlighting the passion and rivalries that fuel tennis.
Swiatek’s path to the Wimbledon crown was a testament to her resilience after a challenging 2025 season. Seeded eighth, she navigated a tough draw, defeating Polina Kudermetova, Caty McNally, Danielle Collins, 23rd seed Clara Tauson, 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova, and Belinda Bencic before facing Anisimova. The American, ranked No. 12, had stunned world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, her comeback fueled by personal triumphs after a mental health break in 2023. Yet, Swiatek was untouchable in the final, breaking serve six times and conceding just 24 points in 57 minutes. “It seems super surreal,” Swiatek said, reflecting on her victory. “I didn’t even dream because, for me, it was just way too far.” Her new coach, Wim Fissette, who joined in late 2024, was instrumental, as she noted, “We have had ups and downs but we showed everybody that it is working.”
The one-sided final sparked debate, with Gilbert, who coached Gauff to her 2023 US Open title, taking to social media to express his disappointment. “A very sad day for tennis on center court @Wimbledon,” he wrote, comparing the match to Steffi Graf’s 35-minute 1988 Roland Garros final. He added, “Crazy, Iga Pop tourney stat, the highest ranked player she has played this @Wimbledon [Liudmila] Samsonova at 19. AA is ranked 12, not sure when last time someone won a slam without facing a top 10 player.” The remarks, perceived as diminishing Swiatek’s achievement, drew a swift response from Ryszczuk. “It’s so low that even you can feel the bottom,” he fired back online. “Do your research better. Winning ugly doesn’t mean commenting ugly.” Ryszczuk pointed out that other champions, like Ashleigh Barty, had won majors without facing top-10 opponents, defending Swiatek’s dominance.
The exchange ignited a firestorm among fans. Some criticized Gilbert, with one writing, “Is Iga to be blamed that other players lost early? F**king stupid,” while another called his comments “classless.” Others defended Gilbert, viewing his post as a neutral observation about the draw, to which he responded, “Everyone take a freaking chill pill, it’s twitter oouch on sensitivity.” The controversy highlighted the polarized reactions to Swiatek’s victory, which some saw as a masterclass and others as a reflection of an uneven draw. Despite the noise, Anisimova remained gracious, saying, “You’re such an incredible player, it showed today, you’ve been such an inspiration to me.” She also thanked the crowd, adding, “Thank you to everybody who has supported me, it’s been an incredible atmosphere, you guys have carried me through this championship.”
Swiatek’s triumph marked a high point after a turbulent year, including a 2024 doping controversy and losses to players like Coco Gauff, who exited Wimbledon’s first round in 2025 to Dayana Yastremska. Gauff, showing sportsmanship, congratulated Swiatek, writing, “Congratulations @iga_swiatek on an incredible run!” The tennis community rallied around Anisimova’s inspiring journey, with Serena Williams’ former coach Rennae Stubbs urging fans to respect her resilience. Swiatek’s “double bagel” reinforced her reputation for dominant sets—40.6% of her matches feature a 6-0 or 6-1 scoreline—with coach Rick Macci calling it “punishment rather than easy wins.”
As Swiatek prepares for the North American hard-court season, the controversy underscores the intensity of tennis fandom and the scrutiny faced by champions. Her ability to rise above the noise, backed by her team and fans, cements her as a force in the sport. The clash between Ryszczuk and Gilbert, while heated, reflects the passion that makes tennis compelling, ensuring Swiatek’s Wimbledon legacy will be remembered for both her brilliance and the debates it sparked.
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