Aryna Sabalenka Recounts Fierce Argument With Amanda Anisimova During Wimbledon Loss: ‘It Was Her Fault’
The 2025 Wimbledon Championships delivered a thrilling women’s semifinal clash between World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and American star Amanda Anisimova, but it was not just the tennis that grabbed headlines. A heated exchange between the two players during their match on July 11, 2025, became a focal point of discussion, with Sabalenka later attributing the tension to Anisimova’s on-court conduct. The Belarusian’s candid remarks in her post-match press conference shed light on a dramatic encounter that saw Anisimova triumph 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to reach her first Grand Slam final, while Sabalenka’s dream of a maiden Wimbledon final slipped away.
The match on Centre Court was a battle of power and resilience, with both players showcasing their aggressive playing styles under the scorching London sun. Anisimova, ranked World No. 12 and returning to the Wimbledon main draw after a three-year absence, displayed remarkable composure to upset the top seed. Sabalenka, a two-time Grand Slam champion, fought hard but faltered at critical moments, particularly in the third set, where Anisimova capitalized on her opportunities to secure the victory. However, it was two specific incidents during the match that sparked Sabalenka’s frustration and led to a fiery exchange that reverberated through the tennis world.
The first incident occurred in the second set when Anisimova let out a loud grunt or shout before a point had concluded, which Sabalenka interpreted as premature celebration. The Belarusian, visibly irritated, later commented in her press conference, “She kind of pissed me off, saying that’s what she does all the time.” Sabalenka felt the outburst disrupted her focus, though she admitted it fueled her determination to fight back. The second, more contentious moment came in the third set when Anisimova benefited from a lucky net-cord shot that dribbled over to Sabalenka’s side, leaving her unable to return it. Tennis tradition often sees players offer a gesture of apology—such as raising a hand or racket—for such fortunate shots, but Anisimova instead turned to the crowd and roared in celebration. Sabalenka, incensed, confronted her opponent, reportedly saying, “Why didn’t you say sorry?” She later elaborated, “If she barely got that point and didn’t feel like saying sorry for that tricky situation, that’s on her.”
Anisimova, however, downplayed the incidents in her own press conference, denying any intent to provoke. “No, I wasn’t celebrating,” she said of the second-set incident. “It was just, like, a long grunt, I guess. I don’t really know what the deal was there, to be honest, because I didn’t feel like it was that interfering.” Regarding the net-cord controversy, she maintained her focus was on the match, not on tennis etiquette. The American’s composed response contrasted sharply with Sabalenka’s fiery demeanor, highlighting their differing approaches to the high-stakes encounter.
The match itself was a rollercoaster, with Anisimova taking a commanding 4-1 lead in the third set before Sabalenka battled back to level the score. Despite the Belarusian’s resilience, Anisimova’s fearless shot-making, particularly her booming forehand, sealed the deal. The victory marked a significant milestone for Anisimova, who became the first American woman to reach the Wimbledon final since Serena Williams in 2019. Her journey, marked by a year-long hiatus from tennis in 2023 to focus on mental health, added an inspiring layer to her achievement. Yet, Sabalenka’s post-match comments shifted some attention from Anisimova’s triumph to the perceived breach of sportsmanship.
Sabalenka’s outspokenness drew mixed reactions. Some fans praised her for her honesty, appreciating her raw emotion and competitive spirit. Others, however, criticized her for appearing to be a “sore loser,” pointing to her history of candid, sometimes controversial press conference remarks, such as those following her French Open final loss to Coco Gauff earlier in 2025. Social media posts on X reflected this divide, with some users calling Sabalenka’s reaction excessive and others defending her right to express frustration over what they saw as unsportsmanlike conduct.
Despite the controversy, the two players shared a warm embrace at the net after the match, and Anisimova later posted a gracious message on Instagram, acknowledging Sabalenka’s competitiveness. “Just wanna say what a battle out there, credit to Aryna, she is such an incredible competitor,” she wrote. Sabalenka, for her part, acknowledged Anisimova’s bravery on the court, admitting, “She was more brave. When I was just trying to stay in the point, she was going for all.” As Anisimova went on to face Iga Swiatek in the final, where she suffered a 6-0, 6-0 defeat, the tennis world continued to buzz about the Sabalenka-Anisimova clash—not just for its quality but for the human drama that unfolded. For Sabalenka, the loss marked her third consecutive Wimbledon semifinal defeat, leaving her to regroup as she heads to the US Open as the defending champion.
