Amanda Anisimova’s Emotional Wimbledon Final
In a poignant display of gratitude amid heartbreak, Amanda Anisimova expressed her apologies to the crowd at Centre Court following a devastating defeat at the Wimbledon final where she fell to Iga Swiatek with a score of 6-0, 6-0. The 23-year-old American, competing in her first major final, delivered an emotional speech that highlighted her relationship with her mother, who made a rare appearance to support her daughter in the stands.
“My mom is the most selfless person I know, and she’s done so much to help me reach this stage in my life,” Anisimova said, her voice trembling with emotion.
This acknowledgment held particular significance as Anisimova’s father passed away in 2019 when she was just 17. As she addressed her mother directly, her eyes filled with tears, she remarked,
“Thank you for being here and for defying your superstition about flying in.”
Recalling the brief match, she lightheartedly added,
“It’s definitely not why I lost today,”
prompting laughter from the audience.
Journey to the Finals
Anisimova’s journey to the finals was impressive, especially after she upset the world’s top-ranked player, Aryna Sabalenka, in the semifinals. Originally hailing from New Jersey and raised in Florida, she first made headlines in the tennis world as a teenager, securing victory against Coco Gauff in the 2017 US Open junior finals and reaching the quarterfinals of the French Open shortly thereafter.
However, a mental health break in May 2023 marked a crucial turning point for Anisimova, during which she stepped away from the competitive scene due to burnout. Despite her ranking plummeting to 189th by 2024, she demonstrated remarkable resilience by trying to qualify for Wimbledon, though she initially did not make the cut.
Words of Encouragement and Future Aspirations
After the match, Swiatek offered words of encouragement, stating,
“No matter what happened today, you should be proud of the work you’re doing.”
Anisimova’s achievement in reaching a Grand Slam final within a year of her qualifying struggles is historic, making her only the second woman in the Open era to do so. Stepping into a brighter future, she is set to enter the top ten rankings for the first time.
Anisimova conveyed her gratitude to her team for their unwavering support throughout her tumultuous journey over the past year, acknowledging,
“I know I didn’t have enough today, but I’m committed to working hard. I believe in myself, and I hope to return here one day.”
Her humility and determination reflect a promising return to form in the world of tennis.
