Two women stand on the brink of tennis history at Wimbledon 2025. Iga Świątek, the five-time Major champion who has never quite mastered grass, faces Amanda Anisimova, the American who has turned her career around on the sport’s most prestigious lawns.
Both are chasing their first Wimbledon title, and former US Open champion Andy Roddick has broken down exactly how this final will be won or lost.
What Does Andy Roddick See as Iga Świątek’s Key to Victory?
Świątek has transformed her grass-court game in 2025, and her path to the final proves it. The Polish star started with a runner-up finish in Bad Homburg, then carried that momentum straight into Wimbledon. She’s dropped just one set on her way to the championship match, capping off her run with a dominant 6-2, 6-0 semifinal victory over Belinda Bencic on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Anisimova has been building her own grass-court resume. The American reached the final at Queen’s Club and the quarterfinals in Berlin before making her statement at Wimbledon. Her semifinal win over top seed Aryna Sabalenka, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, set up this historic meeting with former World No. 1 Świątek.
Roddick believes Świątek’s serving will determine the outcome. The former US Open champion thinks if the Pole continues her aggressive approach on serve, she’ll control the match.
“I think the game plans for both of them are pretty straightforward. And if Iga serves as well as she has been. I mean, she’s up 118 consistently, like popping first serves, moving it around a little bit, she’s taken a way more aggressive serving mentality,” he said on his YouTube channel.
The 42-year-old even drew a comparison to 22-time Major champion Rafael Nadal’s tactical serving during the 2010 US Open. Roddick also outlined the tactical battle ahead: while Anisimova will target Świątek’s second serve, the Polish player must absorb and redirect her opponent’s power.
“She knows that Anisimova is going to be looking for second serve returns. And Anisimova knows the same, and Iga is going to have to take that power from Anisimova, and redistribute, right? Anisimova, I don’t know if she’s ever been accused of being like a great mover, right? But she can combat that by controlling the middle of the court. Pace through the court is tougher to redistribute. Iga has been doing a great job of it. But that’s the matchup. That’s the whole deal,” he added.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Both players will face each other for the first time, and there’s no bigger stage than a Wimbledon final for their inaugural meeting.
How Can Anisimova Upset Świątek in the Final?
Roddick sees a clear path for both players. He believes Świątek will win if she consistently redirects Anisimova’s power, but the American has her own weapon to deploy.
The key for Anisimova? Target Świątek’s forehand with aggressive shots.
“If we look back and say, you know what, Iga’s shot tolerance and her ability to redistribute power to the corners, she did that well. Then it’s her match. I think it’s that simple. And Anisimova is going to take risks. She’s going to take them early and she’s going to go after that forehand,” he said later.
Roddick’s tactical advice for Anisimova is straightforward: attack early to test Świątek’s defensive skills, then take control from there. The veteran analyst is eager to see how both players reveal their strategies in the opening games.
“If you’re Anisimova, you take one hard there. You know that you make her (Iga) play defense line, see if she can do it, and if not, you’re set up for the next one. You can distribute either way. But I think that’s the entire matchup. And I’m really curious to see how they show their cards in the first couple of games,” he added.
After her semifinal victory over Sabalenka on Thursday, Anisimova expressed excitement about facing Świątek but kept her focus on the match itself rather than the occasion.
While Świątek aims to add a sixth Major title to her collection, Anisimova is determined to seize her moment and deliver the performance of her career.
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