Amanda Anisimova walked off Centre Court with tears streaming down her face, but it wasn’t just the 6-0, 6-0 defeat that moved her.
In the players’ walkway, a conversation with the Princess of Wales turned a disappointing moment of her tennis career into something she’ll treasure forever.
Amanda Anisimova Opens Up About Her Exchange With Princess of Wales Following Wimbledon Final Loss
“It was such an honor to meet her,” Anisimova said of the Princess of Wales, who had taken her seat in the Royal Box before the final. Following the match, the Princess approached Anisimova in the players’ walkway for a private moment.
“She definitely had a few things to say that were making me emotional again,” the American added. “But she was really kind and told me to keep my head high. Don’t want to reveal everything she said to me, but I also spoke to her again after the match because I passed by her. She had all the best to say to me. So it was a positive of today, and I can try and focus on that and not the match.”
The Princess of Wales commiserates Amanda Anisimova after her straight set defeat in the #Wimbledon final. pic.twitter.com/Ye6XwZGHzo
— Royal Central (@RoyalCentral) July 12, 2025
The moment carried extra weight given the Princess’s own recent health struggles. Witnesses in Centre Court’s Royal Box described the Princess’s warm smile and empathetic nod as she listened to Anisimova’s post-match reflections.
A simple act of kindness offered Anisimova reassurance amid tears and applause following a historic defeat.
Iga Świątek Battles Her Way to a Historic Victory Against Anisimova
On Saturday, the 23-year-old Anisimova faced World No. 8 Iga Świątek in her first Grand Slam final. Returning from a mental health break in 2023, the American gained momentum in the grass swing and stunned World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set semifinal, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, marking her first win over a top-ranked opponent at Wimbledon.
Congratulations on a brilliant Fortnight at The Championships, Amanda 💚
It’s been wonderful to have you back at #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/P4DaVZNVZF
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 12, 2025
However, Świątek, now a six-time major champion, proved too strong on grass. The Pole broke Anisimova’s serve in the opening game and never looked back, winning the first set in 25 minutes, before closing the match 6-0, 6-0 in just 57 minutes, the first “double bagel” in a Wimbledon final since 1911 and the second in Grand Slam final history.
The numbers tell the story of complete dominance. Świątek finished with 10 winners to Anisimova’s none in the second set, while Anisimova committed 28 unforced errors throughout the match.
Despite the scoreline, Anisimova’s run was historic. She became the youngest American woman to reach the final since Serena Williams in 2004 and will rise to World No. 7 in next week’s rankings.
