The 2025 Wimbledon women’s final was a historic clash that saw Poland’s Iga Swiatek deliver a masterclass, defeating American Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in just 57 minutes to claim her first Wimbledon title and sixth Grand Slam. The match, one of the most one-sided finals in the tournament’s history, left spectators stunned and sparked a wave of reactions, none more provocative than that of Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios. Watching from the commentary booth, Kyrgios offered a candid and controversial perspective on how he would have approached the match if he were in Anisimova’s position, suggesting he’d “completely tank” the first set and employ gamesmanship to disrupt Swiatek’s relentless rhythm.
Kyrgios, sidelined from this year’s Wimbledon due to a knee injury, joined fellow pro Dan Evans and former American star CoCo Vandeweghe for a TNT Sports watchalong. As Swiatek stormed through the first set in just 25 minutes, leaving Anisimova reeling with 14 unforced errors and only nine points won, Kyrgios didn’t hold back. “I know it sounds crazy, but, in a moment like this, I would just completely tank this set,” he declared. His reasoning? Throwing away the first set could break Swiatek’s momentum, allowing a player to regroup and mount a comeback in the second. “I would throw this set away,” he added, suggesting that subtle tactics like “just walk side to side” could unsettle an opponent as dominant as Swiatek. Kyrgios, no stranger to gamesmanship himself, slyly admitted alongside Vandeweghe that such tactics had been part of their own playbooks in the past.
The match itself was a brutal display of Swiatek’s prowess. The 24-year-old, who had struggled on grass courts earlier in her career, showed no mercy, capitalizing on Anisimova’s visible nerves and fatigue. Anisimova, playing in her first Grand Slam final at 23, appeared overwhelmed from the start, her powerful backhand—one of the best in women’s tennis—failing to find its mark. She later admitted, “I think I was a bit frozen there with my nerves,” citing the pressure of Centre Court and the physical toll of a grueling two-week tournament. “Maybe the last two weeks I got a bit tired or something,” she reflected, giving credit to Swiatek’s flawless performance: “She came out playing very, very well. She’s an unbelievable player.”
Kyrgios’s comments stirred debate, with some praising his tactical insight and others questioning the ethics of deliberately tanking a set. His approach reflects his maverick persona—unafraid to challenge convention and stir the pot. Yet, his remarks also highlighted the mental and strategic complexities of facing a player like Swiatek, who has now won all six of her Grand Slam finals. “She’s been there so many times in finals of majors,” noted former player Rennae Stubbs, emphasizing the experience gap that left Anisimova struggling to find her footing.
Despite the crushing defeat, Anisimova’s journey to the final was a triumph in itself. Having taken a mental health break in 2023 after battling burnout and the loss of her father in 2019, she climbed from outside the top 400 to a career-high ranking of world number seven. Her run at Wimbledon, which included a stunning upset over world number one Aryna Sabalenka, earned her widespread admiration. “Amanda!!! Slam finalist!!! Head up,” Kyrgios posted on X, echoing support from peers like Coco Gauff, who wrote, “So much to be proud of Amanda ❤️❤️❤️ keep your head up.” Anisimova’s tearful post-match speech, where she thanked her mother and acknowledged the crowd’s support, underscored her resilience. “It’s been an incredible fortnight for me – even though I ran out of gas,” she said, vowing to return stronger.
Swiatek, meanwhile, celebrated a milestone that cemented her status as one of the game’s greats. “It seems super surreal,” she said, reflecting on her first Wimbledon title, a feat she hadn’t dared dream of given her past struggles on grass. Her performance, marked by precise groundstrokes and unrelenting pressure, made history as only the second double-bagel in an Open Era Grand Slam final. For Anisimova, the loss was painful, but as Kyrgios noted, “She’s only 23 years old. She’s trending in the right direction.” Whether his bold strategy would have changed the outcome remains a matter of speculation, but it’s clear that Anisimova’s story—and Swiatek’s dominance—will resonate long after this unforgettable final.
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