Rafael Nadal has sent a message of support to Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova after she lost 6-0 6-0 to Iga Swiatek on Saturday.
Anisimova didn’t win a single game in the women’s singles final, which finished in under an hour in a brutal result for the 13th-seeded American.
The 23-year-old burst into tears during her on-court interview on Centre Court with John McEnroe admitting he ‘felt terrible’ for Anisimova.
There had only been one 6-0 6-0 women’s singles final scoreline in the history of Wimbledon before Swiatek’s remarkable win over Anisimova, when Dorothea Lambert Chambers beat Dora Boothby in 1911.
Nadal tells Anisimova to ‘be proud’ after defeat
Spanish tennis legend Nadal, who will no doubt be watching his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz take on Jannik Sinner in the men’s singles final today, has fired a message to Anisimova after her crushing defeat to Swiatek.
‘Be proud, @AnisimovaAmanda!’ Nadal posted on his X account. ‘Grand Slam finalist!’
Tennis fan @corpheart1, replying to the post in the comments, said: ‘Coming from Rafa, this is very special Amanda! A champ recognizes champ quality!’
‘This is class from Rafa,’ @TruthCourse added. ‘I am sure he just cheered her up.’
Nadal, a 22-time major champion who won Wimbledon twice, retired from tennis last year, with his last triumph in SW19 coming 15 years ago.
Anisimova explains real reason she lost 6-0 6-0
Anisimova, speaking in her post-match press conference, pointed to issues with fatigue as the real reason why she lost the final via a double bagel.
The United States star was playing in her first Grand Slam final after a stunning run at the All England Club, which saw her defeat world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the last four.
‘I didn’t practice [the day before the final],’ Anisimova said. ‘I think that I was just really fatigued.
‘I could feel it also in my warm-up [before the match]. I mean, I had to take a break after every single rally out there in my warm-up.
‘To be able to last two weeks in a Grand Slam is definitely something that you need to work a lot on.
‘It’s not an easy feat. It’s been a long season. It’s just a feeling I had. I knew that was kind of a red flag.’
Austin: I’m heartbroken for Anisimova
Two-time Grand Slam champion Tracy Austin, speaking after the women’s singles final, said: ‘I feel heartbroken for Anisimova. Walking on to Centre Court she had to be so proud – it was the moment of her life.
‘And then 50-something minutes later it had to be well… when you’re losing like that you just want to climb into a hole.
‘15,000 people are watching and around the world but I hope and pray that Anisimova is really proud of what she’s done. This is just the beginning for her.’
