It was a battle for firsts on centre court Saturday.
American star Amanda Anisimova and four-time French Open champion Iga Świątek each competed in their first Wimbledon final for their first major title on grass, and Świątek came out on top in a dominant 6-0, 6-0 victory in just 57 minutes at the All England Club.
It’s the first time a losing player has failed to win a game in the women’s final since 1988, per ESPN.
Świątek was heavily favored despite being on her worst surface.
However, Anisimova couldn’t be underestimated after taking down No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in three sets in the semifinals.
Still, the clay specialist’s Wimbledon final debut makes her the only active women’s player to have reached a grand slam final on all three surfaces.
And that was quickly evident why.
From the jump, the gap between the two players was on display and it was easily Świątek’s best match on grass.
“It seems super surreal…” Swiatek said as she was awarded the Venus Rosewater Dish and a prize pot of more than $4 million. “Honestly I didn’t even dream [about winning Wimbledon]. This, for me, was just like way too far, you know. I feel like I’m already an experienced player but after winning the times before, but I never really expected this one. So, I want to thank my team because I feel like they believed in me more than I did.”
Anisimova’s nerves were getting the best of her, overhitting the ball and struggling to find a response to Świątek’s powerful returns.
The Polish star only dropped one point in the first game, immediately breaking Anisimova’s serve.
The American had a tough time settling in, missing several first serves — 7-for-22 in the first set — and looked increasingly uneasy after each one, which only worsened her start.
She had 14 unforced errors in the first set, against Świątek’s tw, and the seasoned player took the set in just 25 minutes.
Anisimova didn’t let up her fight in the second set, but screams of frustration started as soon as Świątek broke her service in the first game yet again.
It was a brutal watch for anyone in Anisimova’s box as the errors only continued for the American, making two double faults and 14 unforced mistakes in the second.
It cost her a blowout match in front of a crowd featuring Catherine, Princess of Wales, Matthew McConaughey, Billie Jean King, and Martina Navratilova, who was the last women’s singles player at Wimbledon to win the opening set of a final 6-0.
That was until Saturday.
Swiatek made sure to give Anisimova her flowers at the end of the match, despite the score line.
“I want to congratulate Amanda for an amazing two weeks,” she said. “Anyways, no matter what happened today, you should be proud of the work you’re doing. I hope we’re going to play many more finals here and other tournaments. You have a game for that. So, congrats to your team as well.”
Anisimova was in tears during the award ceremony after becoming the first woman to lose a Wimbledon final in the Open Era without winning a game.
It was an emotional day for the New Jersey native.
“Thank you to everyone who supported me since my first round match here. It’s been such an incredible atmosphere and you guys have carried me through this entire championship…”Anisimova said. “Even though, I ran out of gas a bit today, and I wish I could put on a better performance for all of you. You guys have still been there for me and lifted me up so thank you so much.”
Still, the American women have made big strides this year worth celebrating.
Anisimova’s semifinal win made her the fourth American woman to make it to the final for the fourth major in a row.
Jessica Pegula ended the 2024 Grand Slam year by making the U.S. Open final.
In 2025, Madison Keys won the Australian Open in January and later Coco Gauff claim her second career major at the French Open in June.
Anisimova couldn’t make it 3-for-3.
The last time four different American women made the finals in four consecutive majors came from 1983-84.
