On a sunlit Saturday afternoon at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, the 2025 Wimbledon women’s singles final unfolded with a display of dominance rarely seen on Centre Court. Iga Swiatek, the 24-year-old Polish star and five-time Grand Slam champion, delivered a masterclass, defeating American Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in a mere 57 minutes. The match, a historic “double bagel,” marked the first time in 114 years that a Wimbledon final ended with one player failing to win a single game, echoing a 1911 clash between Dorothea Lambert Chambers and Dora Boothby. While Swiatek celebrated her maiden Wimbledon title and sixth major overall, the tennis world turned its attention to Anisimova’s emotional journey and the outpouring of support she received, led by compatriot Coco Gauff.
Anisimova, a 23-year-old from New Jersey, entered the final as the No. 13 seed, riding a wave of resilience after a career-defining semifinal upset over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Her path to the final was a testament to her comeback spirit. Just two years prior, in May 2023, Anisimova had stepped away from tennis, citing burnout and mental health struggles. Ranked 189th a year ago, she failed to qualify for Wimbledon, but in 2025, she surged to her first Grand Slam final, defeating formidable opponents like Yulia Putintseva, Linda Noskova, and Sabalenka. Her journey captured the hearts of fans and peers alike, making her loss to Swiatek all the more poignant.
As Anisimova stood on Centre Court, visibly emotional and tearful, she addressed the crowd with grace, expressing gratitude to her team and her mother, who had flown in to witness her daughter’s historic moment. “It’s been an incredible fortnight for me. Even though I ran out of gas a bit today, and I wish that I could put on a better performance for all of you, you guys have still been there for me and lifted me up today,” she said, her voice trembling. Reflecting on her mother’s support, she broke down, underscoring the deep personal significance of her Wimbledon run.
Moments after the match, Coco Gauff, the 2025 French Open champion and a fellow American, was among the first to offer words of encouragement. Taking to social media, Gauff wrote, “So much to be proud of Amanda ❤️❤️❤️ keep your head up 👑.” Her message resonated widely, reflecting the camaraderie and empathy that define the women’s game. Gauff, who herself faced a surprising first-round exit at Wimbledon 2025, understood the weight of Anisimova’s journey. The two share a history, with Anisimova defeating Gauff in the 2017 US Open junior final, and Gauff’s support highlighted her maturity at just 21 years old.
Gauff wasn’t alone in rallying behind Anisimova. Other players, including Daria Kasatkina and Nick Kyrgios, shared messages of solidarity, while former coaches like Rennae Stubbs urged fans to recognize Anisimova’s resilience. Stubbs emphasized the challenges Anisimova had overcome, including the loss of her father and coach in 2019 and her mental health break. “Anyone who goes on social media to trash Amanda Anisimova needs to really check themselves,” Stubbs wrote, defending the young American’s remarkable achievement.
Swiatek, too, showed sportsmanship, offering words of encouragement post-match: “No matter what happened today, you should be proud of the work you’re doing.” Her performance was a clinic in precision, with three aces, a 72% first-serve win rate, and only 19 games dropped throughout the tournament. Grass, once considered her weakest surface, became her stage for a sixth Grand Slam title, cementing her status as one of tennis’s elite.
For Anisimova, the defeat was crushing but not defining. Her run to the final, which included a WTA 1000 title earlier in 2025, propelled her into the top 10 world rankings for the first time, a milestone that signals her bright future. “I know I didn’t have enough today, but I’m going to keep putting in the work. And I always believe in myself, so I hope to be back here one day,” she vowed, her words carrying a quiet determination.
The tennis community’s response underscored the sport’s emotional depth. From Gauff’s heartfelt message to Swiatek’s dominance, the 2025 Wimbledon final was a story of triumph and resilience. As Anisimova looks ahead to the US Open, her peers’ support and her own resolve promise a compelling next chapter in her inspiring comeback.
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