Anisimova ‘deserves a lot of respect’ – Swiatek
The Wimbledon women’s singles final has arrived, with Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova eyeing glory and hoping to avoid sporting heartbreak.
Each player is in her first final in SW19, though Swiatek is already a five-time grand-slam champion, with four French Open titles to her name and one US Open triumph. The 24-year-old Pole is also a former world No 1, and she is the betting favourite here, having exhibited great progress this summer on a surface on which she once struggled – as shown in her semi-final demolition of Belinda Bencic.
Yet grass is still not Swiatek’s favoured surface, and the quicker play could suit the powerful Anisimova, the 23-year-old American who outlasted world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a brutal, enthralling semi-final. Still, Anisimova, seeded 13th, is in her first grand-slam final here, and her lack of experience could hinder her.
Today’s showpiece match follows Friday’s men’s semi-finals, in which Carlos Alcaraz saw off Taylor Fritz before Jannik Sinner thrashed an injured Novak Djokovic. Those results set up tomorrow’s final, a rematch of last month’s modern classic in the French Open final, where Alcaraz fought from two sets down to beat the world No 1.
Follow live updates and results from Wimbledon day 13, below.
Wimbledon 2025: Women’s singles final – Swiatek vs AnisimovaHewett and Reid lose first set
On No 1 Court, Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid have lost the first set of their wheelchair doubles final against the second-seed pairing of Spain’s Martin de la Puente and Dutchman Ruben Spaargaren – but the British pair are a break up in the second set. They have won this title six times together, among their many, many victories.
Britain’s Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid (AFP via Getty Images)
Lawrence Ostlere12 July 2025 13:09
Cash and Glasspool can make history
Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool are bidding to become the first all-British winners of the men’s doubles title since 1936.
They take on Australia’s Rinky Hijikata and Dutchman David Pel in Saturday’s final, which for the first time takes place at 1pm before the women’s singles.
Glasspool said: “I don’t think at all about the two Brits winning it, it’s more just Wimbledon for me. But, if I take a step back and look at the bigger picture of it then, yeah, it would be an amazing achievement.”
Julian Cash (left) and Lloyd Glasspool are going for the Wimbledon title (Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
Lawrence Ostlere12 July 2025 13:03
Here’s today’s line-up on Centre – the men’s doubles final is about to get underway, with British duo Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool in action:
CENTRE COURT – SHOW COURT – 13:00 START
Gentlemen’s Doubles Final – Rinky Hijikata (AUS) / David Pel (NED) vs Julian Cash (GBR) / Lloyd Glasspool (GBR) [5]
Women’s singles final – 16:00 start
Amanda Anisimova (USA) [13] vs Iga Swiatek (POL) [8]
Lawrence Ostlere12 July 2025 12:51
Anisimova can become third American major champion of 2025
Drawing inspiration from Serena Williams, Anisimova will look to become the first American woman to claim the Wimbledon title since her compatriot in 2016 and keep her country’s flag flying at the majors.
After Madison Keys won the Australian Open at the start of the year and Coco Gauff triumphed at Roland Garros, victory for Anisimova will keep alive hopes of U.S. women completing an “American Slam” of the four majors.
Anisimova is continuing American players’ fine form this year (Getty Images)
Lawrence Ostlere12 July 2025 12:41
Swiatek closing in on hardest piece of career grand slam
Swiatek’s approach has helped her fly under the radar over the past fortnight, with only one set dropped in the tournament, and she romped into the final by thrashing 2020 Olympic champion Belinda Bencic 6-2 6-0.
She could become only the third woman since tennis turned professional in 1968 to win all of her first six major finals, joining Margaret Court and Monica Seles, but Swiatek is not taking the big-hitting Anisimova lightly.
“I haven’t followed her previous matches … she must be playing great,” said Swiatek, who until last month had never even reached the final of a grasscourt event.
“She had a great tournament before Wimbledon. She knows how to play on grass. With her game style, the surface fits her, so it’s going to be a challenge.”
Lawrence Ostlere12 July 2025 12:27
Swiatek closing in on hardest piece of career grand slam
“I never thought it was going to be possible,” said Swiatek, who will attempt to become the youngest woman since 20-year-old Serena Williams in 2002 to win Grand Slam singles titles on all three surfaces.
“I’m not this kind of person that sets these kinds of goals. I live tournament-by-tournament. It’s not like I wake up and I’m like, ‘OK, I’m going to win three Grand Slams this year’ because that’s not how I work.
“I have more down-to-earth goals, practising day-by-day. This is what has always been working.”
Lawrence Ostlere12 July 2025 12:13
Swiatek closing in on hardest piece of career grand slam
Swiatek stamped her authority as the queen of clay when she lifted her fourth French Open title in five years in 2024. Her vast trophy cabinet also contains the 2022 US Open trophy.
But it has been a barren 13-month run for the 24-year-old, who has had to deal with off-court distractions after a short doping ban late last year following her positive test for trimetazidine due to contaminated sleep medication.
While the 24-year-old has never previously had too much love for grass, with the slick surface posing a litany of challenges for the Pole, Wimbledon has offered her a golden opportunity to return to winning ways and confirm herself as an all-court ace.
Iga Swiatek has been enjoying the grass this year (AP)
Lawrence Ostlere12 July 2025 11:51
Amanda Anisimova profile: The prodigy who quit tennis
Anisimova is confident, having taken a circuitous route to this moment, that she will not get stage fright.
“I think for sure that’s going to be coming into play a bit, keeping our nerves at bay and staying composed,” she said.
“I would say we’re both pretty experienced. Obviously I haven’t been in a grand slam final before but I’ve experienced a lot of moments similar and a lot of high-stakes matches. I feel like I’m pretty prepared.”
Lawrence Ostlere12 July 2025 11:38
Swiatek is happy to see her former junior rival, who lost in qualifying here last year, back in the big time, saying: “Anybody who struggles and gets back at a better level deserves a lot of respect.
“For sure, Amanda is one of these players that kept going forwards in tough situations. I always wished her the best. Good job for her.”
Anisimova’s run here has come amid the best season of her career, and she can take confidence from the fact players with her power game style have often proved troublesome for Swiatek.
“She knows how to play on grass,” added the Pole. “With her game style, the surface fits her. So it’s going to be a challenge.”
Anisimova will be playing the first grand slam final of her career today (Getty Images)
Lawrence Ostlere12 July 2025 11:25
Amanda Anisimova profile: The prodigy who quit tennis
“She was a great junior,” said Anisimova. “I remember a lot of coaches were saying that she’s going to be a big deal one day. Yeah, obviously they were right.
“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 again.
“Getting to compete against an unbelievable player again is going to be super special. Hopefully I can bring some high-quality tennis and make it a battle out there. I’m just going to go out and enjoy every moment and try to not think about what’s on the line there.”
Lawrence Ostlere12 July 2025 11:12