A Dominant Performance Caps a Comeback Story of Resilience and Strategic Triumph

Iga Świątek's journey to the Wimbledon final was aided by an unexpected turn of events. Her earlier-than-usual exit at the French Open, coupled with a period of less successful play, proved to be a blessing in disguise. Świątek, a four-time French Open champion, had previously struggled with the transition from clay to grass, never advancing beyond the quarter-finals at Wimbledon. This year, a dip in form saw her lose her world No. 1 ranking, further fueling the narrative of an underdog.

Following her semi-final loss in Paris, Świątek dedicated time to honing her grass-court skills in Spain and Germany. This preparation proved to be pivotal. As higher-ranked players faltered during the initial week of Wimbledon, Świątek steadily progressed, largely overlooked by tennis analysts who underestimated her chances. By the time she faced Amanda Anisimova in the final, Świątek was more than ready.

In a dominant display, Świątek steamrolled Anisimova, securing a 6-0, 6-0 victory in under an hour. This win marked her first Wimbledon title and her sixth Grand Slam victory across different court surfaces. The performance was a complete demolition, resulting in the first "double-bagel" in a Wimbledon final since 1911 and only the second in a Grand Slam final since the Open Era began.

Anisimova was visibly distraught after the match, briefly leaving the court in tears. She later admitted to feeling overwhelmed by nerves and exhaustion from her tournament run. Despite the loss, she expressed a determination to learn from the experience and emerge stronger. Świątek, while offering her congratulations, was also surprised by her own level of dominance throughout the championships.

Świątek's victory represented a comeback of sorts. She had not won a tournament since the French Open in 2024 and had faced a doping scandal. She successfully argued that a batch of contaminated melatonin caused a positive test. The poor performances and the ban took a toll, physically and emotionally. After Saturday’s win she lashed out at the media for their coverage of her troubles.

The early upsets at Wimbledon also played a role in her success. With key rivals eliminated early, Świątek faced less formidable opponents on her path to the final. However, based on her performance, it was clear that she was in top form and likely would have won regardless of the draw. Świątek herself acknowledged the unpredictable nature of tennis and her own capacity to surprise.