Rafael Nadal's special message to Anisimova after Wimbledon final loss: Be proud

Amanda Anisimova may have endured one of the toughest finals in Grand Slam history, but she’s walking away with encouragement from none other than Rafael Nadal.

The American's dream run at Wimbledon 2025 ended in heartbreak after she was comprehensively beaten 6-0, 6-0 by Iga Swiatek in the women’s singles final on Centre Court. The one-sided result made headlines as it marked the first double bagel in a Wimbledon singles final — men’s or women’s — in the Open Era. The match lasted just 57 minutes.

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Swiatek, now a six-time Grand Slam champion, was in ruthless form and gave Anisimova no breathing space. The Pole delivered 25 flawless minutes in the first set, breaking serve three times and winning 14 of the last 15 points to wrap up the second set just as clinically.

But while the scoreboard was brutal, Anisimova’s composure was widely appreciated — and it didn’t go unnoticed by legends of the game. Rafael Nadal, who knows a thing or two about bouncing back from tough losses, reached out with a personal message on social media. The Spanish icon urged Anisimova to be proud of her run and reminded her of what it meant to reach a Grand Slam final — an achievement few in tennis ever experience.

"Be proud, Anisimova Amanda! Grand Slam finalist!" Nadal wrote on his post.

Anisimova, 23, had come into the final high on confidence after knocking out World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the semis. Her defeat on Saturday made her the first woman since 1911 to be shut out in a Wimbledon final — a tough pill to swallow for a player making her first appearance in a Grand Slam final.

It was a touching gesture from one of the sport’s greatest, whose own career has been defined not only by titles but also resilience through setbacks.

Despite the disappointment, Anisimova’s performance over the fortnight at the All England Club has ensured her place in the spotlight. She is set to break into the WTA top 10 for the first time in her career when the new rankings are released, and her future remains bright.

Swiatek, meanwhile, finally adds a Wimbledon crown to her collection, becoming one of the rare active players to win a major on all three surfaces.

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Published By: Debodinna Chakraborty Published On: Jul 13, 2025

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