Wimbledon 2025 is set to culminate in a women`s singles final that few pundits or fans could have confidently predicted at the start of the tournament. The Centre Court grass will be graced by world number one Iga Swiatek, who has surpassed her own expectations on the surface, and the American challenger Amanda Anisimova, whose journey back to the sport`s elite level has been nothing short of remarkable.
For Iga Swiatek, the road to her first senior Wimbledon final has been paved with unexpected proficiency on grass. The Pole, long regarded as a dominant force on clay, admitted she was “surprised” by her form at SW19 this year. Her semi-final performance, a clinical 6-2, 6-0 victory over former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic in just 72 minutes, showcased a level of comfort and aggression on grass that had previously eluded her in the latter stages of this Grand Slam.
Swiatek`s 2025 season on her favoured clay did not yield the Roland Garros title this time around. However, this potentially allowed her more dedicated preparation time on grass, a factor she herself acknowledged. A run to the final in Bad Homburg just before Wimbledon appeared to be the crucial catalyst, marking her first final appearance at any level since her fifth Grand Slam triumph in Paris last spring. Now, standing one match away from lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish, she is also on the verge of joining a select group of players who have won major titles on all three surface types – a feat only recently accomplished by Carlos Alcaraz among male players. While she claimed the junior Wimbledon crown seven years ago, the senior event had proved a tougher nut to crack, with the quarter-finals being her previous best. Yet, she feels confident and is “going for it,” successfully navigating the constant external pressure that accompanies her status.
On the other side of the net stands Amanda Anisimova, whose path to the final is arguably even more poignant. The young American stunned the tennis world two years ago by stepping away from the sport to prioritise her mental health. Her return has been a gradual process, culminating in a breathtaking run at Wimbledon. Her semi-final encounter saw her upset the reigning world number one and tournament favourite, Aryna Sabalenka, in a hard-fought three-set battle, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Anisimova described the feeling of reaching the final as “indescribable” and admitted that, during her time away, she would not have believed this was possible. Her presence in the final is not only a personal triumph but also a powerful testament to resilience and the importance of well-being. This marks her first appearance in a Grand Slam final, achieving a first-ever win over a world number one and her 13th victory against a top 10 opponent.
The final promises a fascinating contrast in styles and narratives. Swiatek, with her proven ability to close out major finals (having never lost one), enters as the slight favourite. However, Anisimova possesses significant firepower and has demonstrated the capacity to trouble the very best, as her head-to-head record against Sabalenka (now 6-3 in her favour) and her latest win attest. Interestingly, this unexpected final brings together two players who faced each other nearly a decade ago in the Junior Fed Cup Finals in October 2016. Fast forward to July 2025, and they meet again, this time on the biggest stage in grass-court tennis.
Whether Swiatek solidifies her status by conquering the grass or Anisimova completes a truly memorable comeback story, this Wimbledon women`s final is set to be a compelling and unpredictable spectacle. It`s the final few anticipated, but one that is now eagerly awaited.
