Historic humiliation of Iga Swiatek: Challenge to the competition | Wimbledon

Iga Swiatek has done it, winning Wimbledon for the first time in her career. The Pole is now the only player in professional tennis history, alongside Margaret Court and Monica Seles, to win her first six Grand Slam finals. A milestone for the 24-year-old.

"There's no comparable tournament. That's why I was always nervous here," she said after her show of power. "Being on Centre Court felt like a lot of pressure and was a bit too much for me. Only this year have I learned to feel comfortable here."

The triumph at Wimbledon is a success that hardly anyone would have thought possible weeks ago – despite Swiatek's decent performance in Bad Homburg, where she only had to admit defeat to American Jessica Pegula in the final. And also not because Swiatek had lost her status as a top player.

It was the Pole's months without a title that made a victory at the London grass-court classic seem so surprising. Swiatek hadn't won a title since winning the 2024 French Open—on her favorite surface, clay, mind you. This year, she "only" reached the semifinals in Paris for the first time since 2021.

Happy winner: Iga Swiatek.

Source: IMAGO/Shutterstock

"A fantastic performance from start to finish," enthused former player Andrea Petkovic after Saturday's match on Prime Video. "She didn't allow Amanda Anisimova to get back into the match once. She worked hard for that; it was a difficult year for her. Many had already written her off as the one who panics when it comes to the semifinals and finals. She shut those critics up today."

Swiatek's record on London's hallowed turf has been below average in recent years. She's been eliminated in the third round twice in the last three years. She never really warmed up to the fast, green surface.

This year was different: After an initial adjustment period, the Pole swept across the court with complete conviction, leaving her opponents barely a chance. Swiatek dropped a single set throughout the entire tournament, in the second round against American Caty McNally.

"I never thought she'd win Wimbledon. Maybe the French Open again, because she feels comfortable there, but Wimbledon has always been a surface where she's verbally said, 'I don't feel so comfortable there,'" former pro Barbara Schett also paid tribute to Prime. "What she's shown here in these two weeks, hats off."

During the tournament, almost everything went perfectly for the now six-time Grand Slam champion. Saturday's final was a blueprint for the tournament. The 24-year-old didn't give up a single break point against the pitiful Amanda Anisimova. One reason for the Pole's dominance on the court: her strong serve.

78 percent of her first shot landed in the net—an outstanding rate. She also reduced the number of unforced errors to a minimum, committing just eleven in the final. By comparison, Anisimova made 28.

The fact that the excellent returner not only mastered her powerful serve but also her often wild forehand on grass was also thanks to her new coach. Wim Fisette, who is no stranger to Germany, has been at her side since the fall of 2024. Angelique Kerber won Wimbledon in 2018 – with Fisette as her coach.

Angelique Kerber in May 2023 with her then coach Wim Fissette.

Source: Getty Images

"She's very fast, defends extremely well, and is very solid. And she puts a lot of spin on the ball, which makes it difficult for her opponents," Belgian Fisette analyzed Swiatek's game in an interview with the Belgian news agency "Belga" last October. He is working specifically with Swiatek on her serve, which has now paid off.

Swiatek, too, was already impressed with her new coach. "He seems to have a great attitude, vision, and extensive experience at the highest level of tennis," she wrote on Instagram. Now the collaboration is bearing fruit. The titleless streak is a thing of the past.

And one thing is certain: The Pole's opponents will have to be more careful than ever in the future. Because Swiatek, who even won Wimbledon, can be expected to do even better.