Aryna Sabalenka’s pursuit of a Grand Slam championship outside hard courts has been delayed as she fell short in the Wimbledon semi-finals. After a strong season marked by consistent major tournament performances, Sabalenka could not overcome Amanda Anisimova on the grass courts of the All-England Club on Thursday.
The WTA world number one had reached the final in every major this year except one but was defeated in three sets by Anisimova, who advanced to her first Grand Slam final to face top-ranked Iga Swiatek. This loss means Sabalenka must wait until next season for another chance to claim her first Grand Slam title away from hard courts.
Nick Kyrgios Encourages Sabalenka to Recognize Her Achievements at Wimbledon
This year’s Wimbledon women’s championship saw no clear favorite, with none of the top ten seeded players having previously won the title. As several prominent contenders were eliminated early, Sabalenka emerged as one of the tournament’s frontrunners.
Sabalenka advanced to the semi-finals with an impressive run, narrowly escaping defeat against Emma Raducanu and Laura Siegemund. However, Anisimova secured a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory, marking her sixth career win over Sabalenka and ending Sabalenka’s bid at the Wimbledon crown.
Despite the bitter loss, Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios highlighted the significance of Sabalenka’s performance, suggesting she should feel proud of reaching another Wimbledon semi-final.
The last couple of rounds she has not been playing great. She was, I wouldn’t say lucky to get through Siegemund, the 37 year old veteran, but in saying that I don’t think Sabalenka was near her best tennis this week at all,
Kyrgios said during an interview with talkSPORT.
He acknowledged that while Sabalenka might be disappointed about her showing, adding another Wimbledon semi-final appearance to her record remains noteworthy.
I think ultimately she should be super proud of herself, but this one is going to hurt her a bit, because she probably won’t have a better chance to win Wimbledon.
—Nick Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios Applauds Amanda Anisimova’s Breakthrough Wimbledon Final
Amanda Anisimova’s remarkable grass-court form culminated in her first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon, a major milestone at the prestigious All-England Club. This success followed her strong performances earlier in the season, including a runner-up finish at the Queen’s Club and a quarter-final appearance in Berlin.
Her rise is especially significant considering she was unable to qualify for Wimbledon only a year prior. Now, at 23 years old, Anisimova faces Iga Swiatek in the final match on Saturday.
Kyrgios praised her resilience and talent, particularly noting her return to top-level tennis after a challenging period focused on her mental health.
She was ranked almost 400 a year ago and now back in the top 10 and Grand Slam finals. She always had the ability and to see she has taken that and made a Grand Slam final is good.
—Nick Kyrgios
The Impact of this Wimbledon Result on the Players’ Careers
This Wimbledon tournament has delivered pivotal moments for both Sabalenka and Anisimova. Sabalenka’s consistent performances across majors demonstrate her status as a top contender, though the missed chance to capture the Venus Rosewater dish may linger for some time. Meanwhile, Anisimova’s breakthrough final appearance signals a significant step forward in her career, reflecting her resilience and potential for future success on the WTA Tour.
The upcoming final between Anisimova and Swiatek promises a compelling clash, with both players eager to secure one of tennis’s most coveted titles. For Sabalenka, the experience gained and recognition earned at Wimbledon could fuel her ambitions as she prepares for the next season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Amanda Anisimova take a break?
A. Anisimova shared on social media on May 5, 2023, that she has faced mental health and burnout challenges since summer 2022. She explained that attending tennis tournaments has become too difficult. Currently, her main focus is improving her mental health by taking a break.