Iga Swiatek admits even she was ‘surprised’ by what she did at Wimbledon which has never happened in her career before

In a stunning display of dominance, Iga Swiatek, the 24-year-old Polish tennis sensation, stormed to her first Wimbledon title in 2025, delivering a performance that left both fans and herself in awe. Facing American Amanda Anisimova in the women’s singles final, Swiatek secured a 6-0, 6-0 victory in just 57 minutes, marking the first double-bagel win in a Wimbledon final since 1911 and only the second in a Grand Slam final in the Open Era. This historic achievement, which saw Swiatek claim her sixth Grand Slam title, was a testament to her growth as a player and her ability to defy expectations on her least-favored surface. “It’s something that is just surreal,” Swiatek admitted, reflecting on the magnitude of her victory. “I feel like tennis keeps surprising me, and I keep surprising myself.”

Swiatek’s journey to the 2025 Wimbledon crown was anything but predictable. Known as the “Queen of Clay” for her four French Open titles and a US Open champion in 2022, she had long been considered a clay-court specialist, with grass posing a significant challenge. Her previous best at Wimbledon was a quarter-final appearance in 2023, and a shock third-round exit the previous year had fueled doubts about her grass-court prowess. “Honestly, I didn’t even dream because for me it was just way too far,” Swiatek said of her Wimbledon aspirations. Yet, her 2025 campaign silenced critics, as she dropped just one set en route to the title and lost only 35 games across the tournament—the fewest by a women’s champion since Martina Navratilova in 1990.

The final against Anisimova was a masterclass in precision and control. Swiatek’s relentless returning and pinpoint accuracy overwhelmed her opponent, who struggled with nerves, managing only 26% of her first-service points and committing 28 unforced errors. “She came out playing very, very well,” Anisimova acknowledged, giving credit to Swiatek’s commanding performance. “She was able to really play the game she wanted, I think.” Swiatek, meanwhile, leaned heavily on her improved serve, landing 78% of her first serves and keeping her unforced errors to a mere 11. “I think I was serving great and I just leaned on that,” she noted, crediting her consistency as a key factor. Her preparation, including a week of grass-court training in Mallorca and a runner-up finish in Bad Homburg, paid dividends, allowing her to adapt her aggressive, all-court style to the faster surface.

This victory marked a significant milestone, as Swiatek became the only active WTA player to win Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces—clay, hard, and now grass. At 24, she is the youngest to achieve this feat since Serena Williams in 2002. “I think winning on the grass is proving that she can win on every surface,” said former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli, emphasizing the new dimension Swiatek added to her resume. The triumph was especially poignant after a challenging year, marked by a doping controversy and a dip in form that saw her ranking slip to No. 8. “It’s a lot, especially after a season with a lot of ups and downs and a lot of expectations from the outside,” Swiatek shared, addressing the pressures she faced. Her decision to switch coaches to Wim Fissette late in 2024, focusing on technical improvements like movement and fast hands, proved transformative. “I feel like I have developed as a player and I had time to practice a little bit more,” she explained.

Swiatek’s emotional response to her win was palpable. Lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish, presented by Catherine, Princess of Wales, she described the moment as “surreal,” especially as a lifelong fan of the royal family. “I wanted to behave well. I didn’t want to do any faux pas,” she laughed, recalling the trophy ceremony. The victory also drew praise from peers like Coco Gauff and Polish football star Robert Lewandowski, who called her “amazing.” For Anisimova, the loss was tough, but her run to the final, including a stunning upset over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, marked a career milestone. “I think just receiving all the comfort I can tonight will be super helpful,” Anisimova said, looking forward to time with family and friends.

Swiatek’s Wimbledon triumph was not just a personal milestone but a historic moment for Polish tennis, making her the first player from her country to win the singles title at the All England Club. “I still felt like an underdog, and I just wanted to soak in every minute,” she said, capturing the joy of her unexpected journey. As she prepares for the US Open, Swiatek’s newfound confidence on grass signals a bright future, proving that her talent and resilience know no bounds.

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