The Wimbledon final on Saturday saw Iga Swiatek quickly defeat Amanda Anisimova in just 57 minutes, securing her sixth Grand Slam title and first at the All England Club. This swift and decisive match marked the first 6-0, 6-0 scoreline in a Wimbledon women’s final in over a century, making Amanda Anisimova’s Wimbledon defeat notably one of the quickest in the tournament’s recent history.
While the final was brief and one-sided, memories of Wimbledon’s longest women’s final, a gripping contest between Venus Williams and Lindsay Davenport in 2005, remain vivid in tennis history. Their dramatic match on Centre Court, which stretched to two hours and 45 minutes, stands as the longest final ever played by women at Wimbledon.
Overview of the 2005 Wimbledon Final Between Venus Williams and Lindsay Davenport
In the 2005 tournament, Venus Williams, seeded 14th, faced off against the top seed Lindsay Davenport. Both players navigated tough routes to reach the final, with Williams defeating key names like Maria Sharapova and Mary Pierce, while Davenport overcame opponents such as Kim Clijsters and Amelie Mauresmo.
Venus Williams’ path to the final included victories over Eva Birnerova (6-2, 6-4), Nicole Pratt (7-5, 6-3), Daniela Hantuchova (7-5, 6-3), Jill Craybas (6-0, 6-2), Mary Pierce (6-0, 7-6), and Maria Sharapova (7-6, 6-1).
Lindsay Davenport progressed to the final by defeating Alina Jidkova (6-0, 6-2), Jamea Jackson (6-0, 6-3), Dinara Safina (6-2, 6-1), Kim Clijsters (6-3, 6-7, 6-3), Svetlana Kuznetsova (7-6, 6-3), and Amelie Mauresmo (6-7, 7-6, 6-4).
Heading into the match, Davenport held a slight edge in their head-to-head record with 14 wins to Williams’ 12. However, Williams had won their two most recent Grand Slam encounters.
Detailed Progression of the Record-Breaking Match
Davenport started strong by breaking Williams’ serve in the third game and ultimately captured the first set 6-4. The second set saw intense rallies and equal efforts from both players, leading to a tiebreak. Davenport came close to winning the title by reaching a tiebreak point, but Williams prevailed with a 7-6 (7-4) victory.
The final was decided in a gripping third set that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. At 4-5 and 30-40, Davenport earned a championship point, but Williams responded with a powerful backhand, tying the game and holding serve under pressure.
Williams then created multiple break chances at 7-7, ultimately succeeding in breaking Davenport’s serve, moving one game away from the title. After a strenuous battle, Williams clinched the victory with a 4-6, 7-6, 9-7 scoreline, winning her first Grand Slam title in four years and echoing her 2001 Wimbledon final triumph over Davenport.
The marathon match lasted two hours and 45 minutes, setting the record as the longest women’s Wimbledon final ever played, a benchmark that remains unbroken to this day.
Reactions from Venus Williams and Lindsay Davenport Following Their Historic Final
In her post-match press conference, Venus Williams reflected on the intensity of the match and her triumph, sharing a mixture of satisfaction and ambition.
“I feel great to have accomplished this, but I feel like I want to do a lot more. But it was a tough match, for sure,”
she stated.
“I just wanted to hang in there. I didn’t want to be off the court in one hour. I wanted it to be an hour 30, hour 40, something.”
—Venus Williams, Professional Tennis Player
Lindsay Davenport expressed her disappointment but acknowledged Williams’ resilience and skill during critical moments of their final.
“Yeah, it’s tough to try to really put it into words right now. Obviously, I’m extremely disappointed,”
Davenport admitted.
“But, I mean, I feel like I gave it everything I had out there, and every time the chips were down for Venus [Williams], she played unbelievable.”
“I mean, you know, I thought I played really well. I thought I had a lot of chances. And I felt like she never allowed me to take advantage of those chances. She just played great whenever she was down.”
—Lindsay Davenport, Professional Tennis Player
Following this legendary match, Davenport and Williams never faced each other again on the WTA Tour. Despite that, their 2005 Wimbledon final remains a celebrated moment in tennis history.
The Significance of the Record in Current Context
While Amanda Anisimova’s Wimbledon defeat this year was marked by its brevity and one-sided nature, the 2005 final between Williams and Davenport offers a stark contrast as a showcase of endurance and competitive spirit. The record set in that marathon match emphasizes the unpredictability and drama that Wimbledon finals can embody, standing as a reminder of the rich history behind the tournament’s present-day contests.
As Wimbledon continues to bring together top talent on Centre Court, the shadow of historic matches like Williams’ longest final serves as both inspiration for players and a benchmark for fans. Meanwhile, Amanda Anisimova’s quick loss to Iga Swiatek highlights the dominance of current champions and the evolving competitiveness of women’s tennis.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Amanda Anisimova in a relationship?
A. Anisimova is thought to be in a relationship with Tyler Roos. Roos, a model and reality TV figure, has gathered nearly 10,000 followers on social media. As a former Australian athlete, he became well-known for appearing in Season 4 of the popular reality show, The Amazing Race Australia.
Q. What nationality is Amanda Anisimova?
A. The young 23-year-old athlete might become the first woman from the U.S. to claim the tournament victory since 2016. Her break from playing could have played a part in her success. This Saturday, Amanda Anisimova, an American aged 23, is set to compete against Iga Swiatek, who has won five Grand Slam titles, in the women’s singles final at Wimbledon.
Q. Can Amanda Anisimova speak Russian?
A. Anisimova, though born in the U.S., is fluent in Russian because she was raised in a household that speaks only Russian.