The Wimbledon 2025 women’s semi-final delivered a seismic upset as Amanda Anisimova, the 23-year-old American No. 13 seed, stunned world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 battle on July 10, securing her first Grand Slam final berth. The two-hour, 37-minute clash on a swelteringly unbearable Centre Court saw Anisimova outlast the Belarusian powerhouse, ending Sabalenka’s hopes of a maiden Wimbledon title. As the tennis world buzzed with reactions, Nick Kyrgios, the outspoken Australian and former Wimbledon finalist, shared his candid take on Sabalenka’s defeat, suggesting she should hold her head high despite the sting of the loss. His comments, delivered during his punditry stint with talkSPORT, painted a nuanced picture of both Sabalenka’s struggle and Anisimova’s remarkable resurgence.
Sabalenka entered the semi-final as the overwhelming favorite, her ferocious power and 2024 Australian and US Open titles cementing her status as the WTA’s top player. Yet, Anisimova’s precision and resilience—saving 11 of 14 break points and capitalizing on a crucial Sabalenka double fault—flipped the script. “The last couple of rounds she has not been playing great,” Kyrgios observed, noting Sabalenka’s shaky quarter-final against 37-year-old Laura Siegemund, where she narrowly avoided an upset. “She was, I wouldn’t say lucky to get through Siegemund, but in saying that I don’t think Sabalenka was near her best tennis this week at all.” Despite the defeat, Kyrgios urged Sabalenka to take pride in reaching another Wimbledon semi-final, her third in five years. “Sabalenka will be feeling pretty average about her performance, but another Wimbledon semifinal to add to the resume is not too bad,” he said. “I think ultimately she should be super proud of herself, but this one is going to hurt her a bit, because she probably won’t have a better chance to win Wimbledon.”
The match itself was a rollercoaster, marked by intense rallies, 79 unforced errors, and moments of controversy. Anisimova’s powerful returns, particularly her backhand, disrupted Sabalenka’s rhythm, while a contentious moment in the second set saw Sabalenka bristle when Anisimova appeared to celebrate a point prematurely. “She kind of p—ed me off,” Sabalenka admitted, referencing Anisimova’s extended grunt during a rally, which she felt mimicked her own vocal style. “I was like, ‘You don’t want to say sorry?’” Anisimova, however, clarified it was “just a long grunt” and not intentional gamesmanship, adding, “I think we were both grunting a lot out there. We have a big game, so that’s the outcome of it.” The incident fueled Sabalenka’s fire, as she noted, “I was grateful that she actually said that because it helped me to keep fighting.” Yet, Anisimova’s resolve shone brighter, as she broke back in the third set after Sabalenka’s early lead and sealed the victory with a blazing forehand on her fourth match point.
Kyrgios, who has long admired Anisimova’s potential, lauded her journey from a No. 189 ranking last year to a guaranteed top-10 spot post-Wimbledon. “Anisimova was someone who pretty much since she came on the scene she was expected to win Grand Slams,” he said. “She is only 23 years old. She already took some time away from the sport dealing with her mental health, so it is good to see her finally back on track.” Anisimova’s path has been turbulent, marked by a seven-month mental health break in 2023 following the sudden death of her father and coach in 2019. Her 2019 French Open semi-final run at age 17, where she also defeated Sabalenka, hinted at her prodigious talent, but injuries and burnout stalled her progress. Her 2025 season, highlighted by a WTA 1000 title in Doha and a Queen’s final, showcased her resurgence, culminating in this career-defining Wimbledon performance.
Sabalenka, despite her disappointment, showed growth in handling the loss. After a controversial French Open press conference where she attributed her final defeat to Coco Gauff to her own errors, she struck a lighter tone at Wimbledon. “You’re not going to see the Roland Garros press conference, so anyone who was waiting for that can leave right now!” she joked, earning laughs from the media. Reflecting on her performance, she credited Anisimova as the “braver player,” admitting, “I think I should have been a little bit more brave today and remember that I’m on the top of the ranking.” The defeat, her third straight Grand Slam loss to an American in 2025 after finals in Australia and Paris, leaves her quest for a grass-court Major unfulfilled.
As Anisimova prepares to face Iga Swiatek in the final, Kyrgios’s words offer a broader perspective. Sabalenka’s consistency—reaching the semi-finals or better in three of four Majors this year—is a testament to her elite status, but Anisimova’s fearless play stole the spotlight. “This doesn’t feel real right now, honestly,” Anisimova said, her disbelief echoing the sentiment of a Centre Court crowd that roared for her triumph. For Sabalenka, the hard-court swing and her US Open title defense loom as chances to rebound, while Anisimova’s ascent signals a new chapter in women’s tennis.
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