LONDON: Iga Swiatek has become the first Polish player to win a Wimbledon singles title after crushing an error-stricken Amanda Anisimova in one of the most one-sided finals of all time.
The eighth seed charged to a 6-0, 6-0, victory over Anisimova, who just two days ago knocked world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka out of the tournament. Swiatek is the first woman in the Open Era to win a Wimbledon final without dropping a game. The last time this happened at the Grand Slam was in 1911. The triumph is her 100th win in a Grand Slam and her first title of any sort since the 2024 French Open.
In comparison, Anisimova’s first experience of playing in a major final will be one she would want to forget. She produced 28 unforced errors, which was nearly three times more than that of her rival and struggled with her serve throughout, hitting five double faults. She was the youngest player from her country to feature in a Wimbledon final since Serena Williams in 2004.
“It seems super surreal,” Swiatek said during the trophy presentation.
“I didn’t even dream (of winning Wimbledon), for me it was way too far. I feel like I am already an experienced player after winning the Slams before, but I never expected this one.
“This year I really, really enjoyed it and feel I improved my form here.”
Swiatek, who dropped just two games in her previous match against Belinda Bencic, started the final in clinical form by breaking a nervous-looking Anisimova twice to open up a 3-0 lead. The American struggled to find her footing and deal with Swiatek’s power, which resulted in her producing five unforced errors in the first two games. This was the case for the rest of the opener, with Anisimova just winning 29% of her service points.
Anisimova’s frustration reached a boiling point early in the second set when she let out a series of screams before dropping serve again. The centre Court crowd cheered on the world No.12 in the hope it would trigger a more competitive encounter, but it didn’t happen. Swiatek refused to let go of her stronghold as she stormed to two championship points in less than an hour. After failing to convert her first, she prevailed on her second with a clean backhand winner.
“You’re such an incredible player, and it obviously showed today,” a tearful Anisimova said to Swiatek.
“You’ve been such an inspiration to me. You’ve had such an incredible two weeks here. Getting to your first Wimbledon final here and winning is so special. Well done to you and your team.”
“Thank you to everyone that’s supported me since my first round match here. You guys have carried me through this entire Championships. Even tough I ran out of gas a bit today and I wish I could have put in a better performance for you.
“It’s been such a privilege to play here and get to this Championship match. I’ll never forget this experience and all of these memories.”
Swiatek is a former junior champion at The All England Club back in 2018, but until now has never won a WTA-level event on grass. She is the only active player on the women’s Tour to have won a major title on three different surfaces, as well as the youngest to do so since Williams in 2002.
Swiatek joins Margaret Court and Monica Seles as the only female players in the Open Era to have won their first six Grand Slam finals played.
