On July 12, 2025, Iga Swiatek delivered a masterclass at Wimbledon, clinching her first title at the All England Club with a stunning 6-0, 6-0 victory over Amanda Anisimova in a mere 57 minutes. The Polish star’s dominant performance, a rare “double bagel” in a Grand Slam final, marked her as only the second woman in Wimbledon history to achieve such a scoreline in the championship match, following Dorothea Lambert Chambers in 1911. Yet, the historic triumph was overshadowed by a heated social media spat between Swiatek’s physiotherapist, Maciej Ryszczuk, and Brad Gilbert, the former coach of Coco Gauff, whose comments about the Pole’s victory ignited a firestorm of debate.
Swiatek, the 23-year-old former world No. 1, entered Wimbledon as the eighth seed, navigating a challenging season that saw her struggle to reach finals since her 2024 French Open triumph. Her path to the 2025 Wimbledon title included victories over Polina Kudermetova, Caty McNally, Danielle Collins, 23rd seed Clara Tauson, 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova, and Belinda Bencic, before facing Anisimova in the final. The American, ranked No. 12, had stunned world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, showcasing her resilience after overcoming personal challenges, including her father’s death and a mental health break in 2023. Despite Anisimova’s inspiring run, Swiatek’s relentless precision overwhelmed her, with the Pole breaking serve six times and conceding just 24 points.
The one-sided final drew mixed reactions. While Swiatek celebrated an emotional milestone, saying, “It seems super surreal. I didn’t even dream because, for me, it was just way too far,” Brad Gilbert took to social media to express disappointment. The 63-year-old, who coached Gauff to her 2023 US Open title, called the match “a very sad day for tennis on center court @Wimbledon,” comparing it to the 1988 Roland Garros final where Steffi Graf defeated Natasha Zvereva in 35 minutes. He also highlighted a statistic: “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.” These remarks were perceived by some as downplaying Swiatek’s achievement, prompting a sharp response from Ryszczuk.
Swiatek’s physiotherapist, a long-time member of her team, fired back on social media, writing, “It’s so low that even you can feel the bottom. Do your research better. Winning ugly doesn’t mean commenting ugly.” Ryszczuk’s retort defended Swiatek’s dominance, pointing out that other Grand Slam champions, like Ashleigh Barty, had won majors without facing top-10 opponents. The exchange sparked a broader debate among fans, with some criticizing Gilbert for undermining Swiatek’s victory. One fan remarked, “Is Iga to be blamed that other players lost early? F**king stupid,” while another wrote, “Cry louder, it’s just shows how classless you are.” Others, however, saw Gilbert’s comments as a neutral observation about the draw, with the coach later responding, “Everyone take a freaking chill pill, it’s twitter oouch on sensitivity.”
Swiatek’s victory was a testament to her resurgence after a tough 2025 season, marked by a doping controversy in 2024 and losses to players like Coco Gauff and Alexandra Eala. Her new coach, Wim Fissette, who joined in late 2024, played a pivotal role, as Swiatek noted, “I want to thank my coach who joined this year. We have had ups and downs but we showed everybody that it is working.” Anisimova, gracious in defeat, praised Swiatek, 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.”
The controversy didn’t overshadow the significance of Swiatek’s sixth Grand Slam title, which solidified her status as a tennis titan. Her ability to deliver a “double bagel” underscored her nickname, “Iga’s Bakery,” with 40.6% of her career matches featuring a 6-0 or 6-1 set. Legendary coach Rick Macci defended her, arguing that her performance was “punishment rather than easy wins.” Meanwhile, Coco Gauff, who suffered a first-round exit to Dayana Yastremska, offered support to Anisimova, writing, “Congratulations @iga_swiatek on an incredible run!” The tennis community, including Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rennae Stubbs, rallied around Anisimova, urging fans to respect her journey.
As Swiatek basks in her Wimbledon glory, the clash between her team and Gilbert highlights the intense emotions and rivalries that fuel tennis. While debates over draws and dominance persist, Swiatek’s focus remains on her craft, with the North American hard-court season next on her horizon. For now, her historic Wimbledon triumph stands as a reminder of her unyielding drive and the passion that defines the sport.
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