Amanda Anisimova receives support from Rafael Nadal after Wimbledon final thrashing

The 24-year-old Polish prodigy, Iga Swiatek, served her way into the tennis record books with her brilliant victory at the iconic Centre Court. The former World No.1 WTA seed became the first-ever Polish player to win a Wimbledon singles event. Moreover, the four-time Roland Garros champion became the first-ever player in the Open Era to claim a double bagel victory at Wimbledon. Overall, Swiatek matched the legendary Steffi Graf, who had beaten Natasha Zvereva 6-0, 6-0 to win the 1988 French Open title. Historically, Swiatek is the first player to claim a double bagel win at Wimbledon since 1911. However, sitting on the wrong side of this glorious match was the US seed, Amanda Anisimova.

Rafael Nadal tells Amanda Anisimova to 'be proud' despite her defeat in the Wimbledon 2025 final

The 2025 WTA season was etched as the platform for Anisimova to script an impeccable comeback. The US star broke into the scene with a win over defending champion Simona Halep to reach the French Open semi-final in 2019. However, her career, once projected to rank at the top of the WTA list, took a halt in 2023. Anisimova walked out of the sport, citing mental burnout. She returned to the tour but failed to enter the Wimbledon draw last season with a defeat in the qualifying round.

Despite the setback, Anisimova, who had fallen out of the Top 400 on WTA rankings, won her first WTA 1000 title in February earlier this year, claiming a spot among the Top 20. In Wimbledon 2025, Anisimova charged right up to the final. Her draw in the mid included a semifinal clash against the reigning World No.1, Aryna Sabalenka. The US seed held strong against Sabalenka, using all her fuel to beat the higher seed 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Against Iga Swiatek, a 5-time Grand Slam champion before winning the Wimbledon 2025 title, Anisimova walked into her maiden Grand Slam final match. However, her form, as seen against Sabalenka, was nowhere to be found in the final. Anisimova could not maintain her first serves as Swiatek held a tight and aggressive grip on the contest all throughout. The result of Anisimova's disappointing show was the US seed bowing out of the Wimbledon 2025 final without winning even a game. As Swiatek lifted the coveted Venus Rosewater Dish, Anisimova broke down inconsolably.

Swiatek, who has now maintained a 6-0 winning streak in major finals, consoled her opponent in her post-match interaction. Anisimova, herself, promised to rise again through tears. Despite the defeat in the final, Anisimova will break into the Top 10 of the WTA Ranking. Meanwhile, hours after her thrashing by Swiatek, Anisimova earned a cheer from Rafael Nadal. The Spanish legend, who retired from the sport last year, took to X to laud the US seed.

"Be proud, Anisimova Amanda! Grand Slam finalist!" Nadal wrote on his post.