LONDON — American tennis star Amanda Anisimova admitted she was "frozen with nerves" during her heavy defeat to world No. 1 Iga Świątek in the Wimbledon final, marking her first Grand Slam championship match appearance. The 21-year-old, who had been in scintillating form throughout the tournament, struggled to find her rhythm against the dominant Pole, ultimately falling 6-2, 6-1 in just 68 minutes.
Anisimova, who had previously reached the semifinals at the French Open in 2019, was visibly emotional during her post-match press conference. "I just froze out there," she confessed. "I couldn’t move my feet, couldn’t swing freely. It’s the biggest stage, and I let the moment get to me." The loss was a stark contrast to her earlier performances, where she had defeated top-10 players, including defending champion Elena Rybakina, with fearless aggression.
A Dream Run Cut Short
Anisimova’s journey to the final had been nothing short of remarkable. After taking a mental health break in 2023, she returned to the tour with renewed focus, climbing from outside the top 100 back into the top 20. Her Wimbledon campaign included:
- An emphatic straight-sets win over Rybakina in the quarterfinals
- A gritty three-set victory against Ons Jabeur in the semifinals
- A tournament-leading 42 aces before the final
Yet, against Świątek, her usually reliable serve deserted her, landing just 48% of first serves and winning only 44% of those points. "Iga didn’t let me breathe," Anisimova said. "Every time I tried to step in, she had an answer. I felt like I was playing against a wall."
Świątek’s Relentless Dominance
Świątek, now a six-time Grand Slam champion, was in ruthless form, extending her winning streak to 19 matches. The 23-year-old dropped just 17 games in her last four matches, showcasing why she remains the most formidable force in women’s tennis. "I knew Amanda had the game to hurt me, so I had to be sharp from the first point," Świątek said post-match.
Key Stats from the Final
- Świątek won 82% of first-serve points compared to Anisimova’s 44%
- Anisimova committed 28 unforced errors to Świątek’s 9
- Świątek converted 5 of 7 break points
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Anisimova received widespread support from fans and peers. Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli noted on BBC commentary: "This won’t be the last we see of Amanda in a major final. She has too much talent not to bounce back."
Looking Ahead
Anisimova, who will rise to a career-high No. 12 in the WTA rankings, remained optimistic despite the disappointment. "I’ll learn from this," she said. "Iga’s been in this position before, and now I know what it takes. Next time, I’ll be ready." Her next major test will be the US Open, where she reached the fourth round in 2022.
Meanwhile, Świątek’s victory cements her status as the first player since Serena Williams in 2015 to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year. "Iga is playing at a level we haven’t seen in years," said tennis analyst Craig O’Shannessy. "She’s making everyone else look like they’re standing still."
For Anisimova, the road to redemption begins now. With her powerful baseline game and improved mental resilience, many believe she’ll soon have another shot at Grand Slam glory. As she left Centre Court, she received a standing ovation—a reminder that even in defeat, her breakthrough fortnight had won over the Wimbledon crowd.
Reflecting on her whirlwind tournament, Anisimova smiled faintly. "I came here hoping to win a few matches. To leave with a runner-up trophy… that’s something I’ll always be proud of." The tennis world will be watching closely to see how she responds in the months ahead.