Amanda Anisimova Stuns Sabalenka — But Coco’s Ex-Coach Still Picks Swiatek
Shockwaves hit Centre Court when 23‑year‑old Amanda Anisimova knocked out world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a dramatic three-set thriller (6‑4, 4‑6, 6‑4), vaulted into the Wimbledon final, and set up a clash with five-time major champion Iga Świątek. It’s a stunning second Slam final for America this year—following Madison Keys at Aussie Open and Coco Gauff at Roland‑Garros.
Despite that upset, Brad Gilbert—Coco Gauff’s former coach—emphasized that Świątek remains the strong favorite over Anisimova. Gilbert tweeted bluntly:
“Probably not vs Iga Pop,”
highlighting Świątek’s commanding form at Wimbledon, where she’d dropped just 19 games in four matches.
Why Gilbert Isn’t Counting on Anisimova
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Form & consistency: Świątek has looked nearly unstoppable on grass, including a crushing 6‑2, 6‑0 semifinal win over Belinda Bencic.
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Experience: This marks Świątek’s first Wimbledon final, giving her momentum and confidence that Gilbert believes will be decisive.
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Head-to-head history: Anisimova may have the momentum from stunning Sabalenka, but she’s never beaten Świątek in a WTA match—and never played her on grass.
What This Means for Coco Gauff
With Gauff’s tournament ending early (she was upset in the first round), she’s watching as American peers like Anisimova and Keys step into the spotlight—which Gilbert pointed out might actually underscore Świątek’s dominance at Wimbledon.
Anisimova’s late-career resurgence (she returned from a mental health break in 2023) and recent performances—including a WTA 1000 title in Doha—have earned her respect, but Gilbert believes Świątek’s current form and pedigree make her the benchmark.
Final Take
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Anisimova: The Cinderella story of Wimbledon 2025, riding a wave of confidence and resilience.
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Świątek: The cold, calculated machine on grass; formidable and experienced.
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Gauff: Absent from the low draw, but still a force in the American tennis wave.
As the final looms this Saturday, consider this a three‑way narrative:
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Redemption for Anisimova
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Dominance for Świątek
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Reflection for Gauff and her team—while Gilbert publicly confirms she wasn’t the talk of this particular tournament.
