Around twelve months ago, Iga Świątek was considered the paramount female tennis athlete globally. Now, she boasts the title of Wimbledon victor. The No. 8 seed showcased the prowess of a top-tier player in a decisive triumph over No. 13 Amanda Anisimova in consecutive sets, 6-0, 6-0.
The contest lasted slightly over an hour, with Świątek maintaining a flawless record throughout. According to the Associated Press, this marked the first Wimbledon women’s final in 114 years where a competitor failed to secure a single game.
Playing in her inaugural Grand Slam final, Anisimova seemed overwhelmed by the occasion. Świątek initiated the match by breaking her serve, establishing a 1-0 advantage early on. A five-time Grand Slam champion, she found herself in familiar territory, despite it being her first Wimbledon final.
As if Świątek’s performance wasn’t sufficiently commanding, Anisimova inadvertently contributed to her own difficulties by committing multiple unforced errors. She struggled to land her first serves and lacked precision in her backhand shots.
Judging by her demeanor and countenance, Anisimova appeared increasingly frustrated as the match rapidly slipped beyond her grasp. The decisive loss of the initial set seemed to drain her spirit, offering no avenue for recovery.
Amanda Anisimova sought to project composure, but her disappointment was palpable as she quickly trailed Iga Swiatek and never recovered in the Wimbledon women’s final. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
(Adam Davy – PA Images via Getty Images)
Whether fueled by support for an underdog or a desire for a more evenly matched contest, the crowd’s encouragement for Anisimova intensified during the second set. This may have contributed to calming her nerves, but Świątek maintained her unrelenting offensive. Anisimova faced an insurmountable deficit, unable to establish a foothold for a comeback.
Świątek secured her sixth Grand Slam title, augmenting her Wimbledon championship to her collection of four French Open titles and a U.S. Open trophy.
“I had not even dreamt of this, it seemed far too distant,” Swiatek expressed during her on-court interview. “I feel I have gained experience through previous Slam victories, but I never anticipated this one.”
“I recognize I fell short today, but I remain committed to continued effort,” Anisimova stated in her post-match interview. “I continue to believe in my capabilities and hope to return here in the future.”
Though perhaps providing minimal immediate consolation, Anisimova achieved a significant milestone by reaching her first Grand Slam final and overcoming the No. 1 seed, Aryna Sabalenka, en route. However, she appeared to lack the reserves necessary for the final showdown.
As of July 14, Anisimova will ascend to No. 7 in the upcoming WTA women’s rankings, improving from her previous position of No. 12. Świątek will be ranked No. 3.
Here’s a chronicle of how the surprisingly rapid Wimbledon women’s singles final unfolded, as Yahoo Sports provided live updates:
