Amanda Anisimova’s fairytale run to her first Grand Slam final turned into a nightmare as the American was dismissed in short order by Iga Swiatek on Centre Court. Indeed, the Pole didn’t just win, she demolished her opponent, producing one of the most dominant title-winning performances in recent memory to win her first Wimbledon title without losing a game in under an hour.
This was the first professional meeting between the two players, but the gulf in Grand Slam final experience and, perhaps as a result, composure on the biggest stage was evident from the outset. Anisimova, understandably nervous in the biggest match of her career to date, was unable to gain a foothold in the match with Swiatek clinical from the outset.
Saturday’s win made Swiatek just the tenth woman in the Open Era to win Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces—clay, hard, and grass, a milestone that cements her place among the sport’s elite. Already a five-time major winner before the final, her Wimbledon triumph silences any remaining doubts about her adaptability, especially on grass, the surface that had given her the most trouble in previous years.
Despite not winning a title since Roland Garros 2024, Swiatek had quietly built toward this level. Over the past two weeks, she rediscovered the timing, confidence, and precision that had eluded her earlier this season. In the final, she looked like the best version of herself—relentless, calm, and untouchable.
Anisimova’s run to the final will live long in the memory, with the American, having spent years battling injuries, poor mental helath and uncertainty, capturing the support of the crowd. But the final showed the difference between a player on the rise and one who has already reached the peak, though hopefully this fortnight will still represent a turning point for Anisimova.
Through the match, the American struggled to handle Swiatek’s pace, depth, and variation, particularly off the return. She hit only eight winners to Swiatek’s 20 and made an avalanche of errors, which made the result inevitable. Still, this experience could prove foundational. Grand Slam finals are often brutal for first-times, but Anisimova now knows exactly what it takes to challenge at the highest level. The challenge now will be to find a way to bridge that gap.
For Swiatek, the win marks the start of a new era of dominance. Now a Grand Slam champion on all surfaces, she heads into the summer hard-court swing with renewed momentum and historical milestones in reach. The title not only ends her year-long title drought but also reestablishes her as the player to beat on tour—regardless of the surface.
For Anisimova, the loss should not overshadow what has been a career-defining fortnight. She has proven she can handle the big stage and put together seven strong matches at a major. With improved consistency and the confidence that comes from a deep Slam run, she’s poised to be a threat for years to come. Her 6–0 6–0 dismantling of Anisimova was a statement, a warning, and a celebration all in one. For the American, the final was a harsh initiation into the elite club. For Swiatek, it was simply another step in an already historic journey.
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
