Match Overview
During her match at the 2025 WTA Finals against Amanda Anisimova, Iga Swiatek faced not only a formidable opponent but also a disruptive fan, which noticeably affected her concentration. The stakes were high for both players; a victory would propel the winner into the semifinals alongside Elena Rybakina, who advanced without dropping a match in the group stage.
First Set Drama
In an eventful first set, both Swiatek and Anisimova displayed impressive tennis, with the opening set concluding in a tightly contested tiebreak, which Swiatek claimed 7-3 after a gripping 7-6 scoreline. However, a heckler in the audience, who Swiatek suspected may have been intoxicated, began shouting during her serves, prompting her to plead with the man to quiet down by saying “cicho,” which translates to “quiet” in Polish.
Despite her request, the disruption continued, leading Swiatek to express her frustration to the umpire during a changeover. She pointed out that the fan’s antics were impacting her performance, exclaiming,
“He’s clearly drunk. Can you kick him out? He’s disturbing the game; he’s shouting between first and second serves.”
Unfortunately for Swiatek, the umpire merely suggested they would attempt to pacify the individual without immediate action.
Match Outcome
After having her focus momentarily derailed, Swiatek managed to concentrate and succeeded in winning the first set. However, her momentum faltered in the subsequent sets. Anisimova capitalized on her opportunities, breaking Swiatek’s serve in the final game of the second set to secure it 6-4. The American maintained her dominance in the deciding set, breaking Swiatek twice and claiming victory with a final score of 6-7, 6-4, 6-2. This match marked Anisimova’s second win over Swiatek in their last two encounters, having previously defeated her at the 2025 US Open and turning around from a dismal 0-6, 0-6 loss in the Wimbledon final.
This victory was particularly notable for Anisimova, as it extended her impressive streak, marking her twelfth consecutive win in matches that went to a third set.
Swiatek’s Season Reflection
Despite the loss, Swiatek has had a remarkable journey this season. Following a disappointing semifinal exit at the 2025 French Open, she struggled for nearly a year without reaching another final and fell to eighth place in world rankings, leading to speculation about her coaching partnership with Wim Fissette.
However, Swiatek made a stunning comeback, reaching the Wimbledon finals and subsequently claiming titles at both the Cincinnati Open and the Korea Open. While her performance began to wane in her final tournaments, she will have a chance to regroup and prepare for the 2026 Australian Open, a tournament she has yet to win.
