A starry-eyed Amanda Anisimova is relishing the prospect of facing her idol, Iga Swiatek, in Saturday’s women’s singles final at Wimbledon. “Iga is such an unbelievable player. She’s also been an inspiration to me. Her work ethic and all of her achievements have been really inspiring. I’m sure it will be an amazing match. Getting to compete against an unbelievable player is going to be super special,” said the US World No. 12.
New rivalry here?
Anisimova, 23, has never played the Polish World No. 4 since turning professional, but the pair have a shared history dating back to their days on the junior circuit. Swiatek beat Anisimova in straight sets in the Junior Fed Cup finals, a period the American still regarded fondly despite that loss.
Iga Swiatek is all focus during her semi-final victory against Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic on Thursday. Pic/Getty Images
“I used to enjoy those Fed Cup trips a lot. We had a lot of fun. She was a great junior. I did lose that match against her, unfortunately. I remember a lot of coaches were saying that she’s going to be a big deal one day. Obviously they were right,” said Anisimova. Swiatek may boast five Grand Slams (four French Open titles and the 2022 US Open trophy), but playing at the All England Club finals is a novelty even to her. The 24-year-old had never gotten past the quarter-finals (2023).
‘Dream come true’
“Honestly, I never even dreamed that it’s going to be possible for me to play in the final. So I’m just super-excited and proud of myself,” she said. The Polish ace admitted she could be under the pump and may have to tweak her game tactically to get the better of Anisimova, whose ‘game style fits the surface.’ “She is playing great tennis. She also had great tournament before Wimbledon [reaching the final at Queen’s Club]. She knows how to play on grass. Her game style fits the surface. So, it’s going to be a challenge. So, I’m going to just prepare tactically for her,” said Swiatek.
Road to the final
Amanda Anisimova
First Round: Brushed aside Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva 6-0, 6-0
Second Round: Eased past Mexican Renata Zerazua 6-4, 6-3
Third Round: Eliminated Hungary’s Dalma Galfi 6-3, 5-7, 6-3
Round-of-16: Edged out Czech’s Linda Noskova 6-2, 5-7, 6-4
Quarters: Beat Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 7-6 (11-9)
Semis: Stunned Belarusian World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
Iga Swiatek
First Round: Beat Russia’s Polina Kudermetova 7-5, 6-1
Second Round: Got the better of USA’s Caty McNally 5-7, 6-2, 6-1
Third Round: Thrashed America’s Danielle Collins 6-2, 6-3
Round-of-16: Swatted aside Denmark’s Clara Tauson 6-4, 6-1
Quarters: Cruised past Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 7-5
Semis: Crushed Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic 6-2, 6-0
