Iga Świątek of Poland achieved a remarkable feat by winning her first Wimbledon title on Saturday, dominating Amanda Anisimova with a stunning scoreline of 6-0, 6-0 in the women’s final held at the iconic All England Club in London.
The match, which lasted only 57 minutes, showcased Świątek’s relentless skill and tactical prowess, as she took control from the start against Anisimova, the 13th seed from the United States.
With this victory, Świątek has now secured six Grand Slam titles, becoming the only active player on the WTA Tour to hold Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces: grass, clay, and hard courts.
Having been undefeated in her previous five Grand Slam finals, Świątek’s win cements her status as one of the leading figures in women’s tennis, putting her second only to Venus Williams in the number of active Grand Slam titles won.
This match marked a historic moment, as it was only the second double bagel in a Grand Slam final in the Open Era, and the first since 1988.
The atmosphere at Centre Court was electric, with VIPs including Princess Catherine of Wales in attendance, which appeared to weigh heavily on Anisimova, who was competing in her first Grand Slam final.
As the match progressed, it became clear that the pressure might have gotten to Anisimova.
She struggled with her serve, connecting with only 33% of her first serves and racking up three double faults, which compounded her woes on the court.
Simultaneously, Świątek was unyielding, returning every shot and missing nothing, leaving Anisimova with just nine points in the first set while making 14 unforced errors.
The nerves that plagued Anisimova were palpable, presenting a stark contrast to Świątek, who looked calm and collected from the start.
Świątek’s strategy was particularly effective, as she aimed to neutralize Anisimova’s strongest asset — her backhand.
By targeting it, Świątek not only unsettled Anisimova but also opened up opportunities for herself to dominate the court.
She consistently moved Anisimova around the court, creating openings by exploiting the space with her superior inside-out backhand.
As Anisimova’s forehand faltered under pressure, Świątek capitalized, further affirming her tactical acumen that had previously come under scrutiny.
Following the match, analysts reflected on the implications of Świątek’s triumph for her legacy.
Despite preceding struggles earlier in the season, including defending three clay-court titles and a dip in her world ranking to No. 8, her resilience has paid off immensely.
The past month has seen a revival in her performance, including making the semifinals in both previous majors of the year.
Her swift change in form led to a well-deserved victory at Wimbledon, a tournament where she had previously been underestimated due to her subpar grass-court performances.
Not only does this win solidify her place in tennis history, but it also highlights her evolution as a player, showing her capability to overcome challenges and expectations.
Post-match, Świątek expressed her disbelief and joy at winning Wimbledon, thanking her team and acknowledging the support that fueled her journey.
On the contrary, Anisimova, though heartbroken, took the opportunity to express gratitude for her support system, notably her family, as she fought through tears during her on-court interview.
She acknowledged the difficulty of her performance yet remained hopeful about her future in tennis, vowing to continue working hard.
The match raised questions about the format of women’s Grand Slam finals, with some suggesting a best-of-five sets format could be more appropriate to alleviate the tension and pressure evident in such a one-sided match.
While the current best-of-three format has its supporters, the brutal reality of a quick loss left spectators and fans sympathizing with Anisimova’s plight as the match unfolded.
In the aftermath, the focus will not only be on Świątek’s achievement but also on Anisimova’s journey and the lessons learned from this experience.
As the tennis world reflects on Świątek’s incredible win and Anisimova’s heartfelt response, it is clear that each player’s path forward offers its own set of challenges and hopeful prospects.
image source from：nytimes
