‘Guys, I’m so sorry’: Shattered star breaks down in tearful tribuite after brutal Wimbledon defeat

Amanda Anisimova has broken down in tears after she paid tribute to her mother following a shattering defeat in the Wimbledon final.

The American had enjoyed a fairytale run to her first Grand Slam final just 18 months after returning to the game from a break to help her mental health.

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However, she admitted the occasion and the draining nature of a two-week slam played in blistering conditions during a London heatwave had taken its toll in the most one-sided final for 114 years which saw her lose 6-0, 6-0 to Iga Swiatek.

Addressing the crowd during the presentation ceremony, Anisimova became overcome with emotion as she thanked her mother and team.

“...My mom’s put in more work than I have honestly,” Anisimova said as she wiped away tears.

“Guys I’m so sorry... No my mom is the most selfless person I know and she’s done everything to get me to this point in my life. So thank you for being here and breaking the superstition of flying in. It’s definitely not why I lost today.

“I’m so happy that I get to share this moment and for you to be here and witness this in person. I know you don’t get to see me live playing that much anymore because you do so much for my sister and I and you always have so I love you so much...”

It has been a rollercoaster few years for Anisimova. In May 2023, she walked away from tennis due to burnout. She had also dealth with the death of her father Konstantin, who assed away at the age of 52 in August 2019.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Iga Swiatek of Poland embraces Amanda Anisimova of United States at the net following victory in the Ladies' Singles Final on day thirteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Anisimova, meanwhile admitted she was “frozen by nerves” as her Wimbledon dream turned into a nightmare as Swiatek romped to a historic 6-0, 6-0 victory in Saturday’s final.

“I was a bit frozen there with my nerves. Maybe the last two weeks I got a bit tired or something,” said Anisimova who will climb to a career-high seventh in the world thanks to her run at the All England Club.

“It’s not how I would have wanted my first Grand Slam final to go. “I think I was a little bit in shock after, as well. But I told myself, ‘I’ll definitely come out stronger after this’. That’s not an easy thing to go through, losing 6-0, 6-0 in a Grand Slam final.

54-minute smash! Swiatek wins Wimbledon | 02:43

“If anything, I can look at it as a positive and something I can look at as motivation going forward. Obviously there’s a lot of things I need to do to progress.” Anisimova returned to action in January 2024 and has since fought her way back from well outside the world’s top 400.

This season has been the best of her career so far -- winning the Qatar Open in February.

The high point of her year came in beating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a bruising semi-final on Thursday.

US player Amanda Anisimova reacts as she plays against Poland's Iga Swiatek during their women's singles final tennis match on the thirteenth day of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 12, 2025. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE Source: AFP

But the 23-year-old said that match had left her so physically exhausted she had been unable to even practice on the eve of the final.

“I didn’t practice yesterday. I think that I was just really fatigued,” she added.

“I could feel it also in my warm-up this morning. I mean, I had to take a break after every single rally out there in my warm-up.

“I think, if anything, it’s my physicality that I need to work on.” Anisimova, though, is determined to use Saturday’s scaring experience as a driver to spur her on to her dream of one day becoming a Grand Slam champion.

“It’s honestly, like, a fork in the road. It’s whatever direction you want to go in,” she added.

“I’m going to choose the path of working towards my goals and to try and keep improving, hopefully put myself in more positions and opportunities like today.

“I think that’s going to help me reach my goals.”

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