Sabalenka 'Angry' Over Anisimova's Behavior During Heated Wimbledon Clash

Friday, 11 July 2025 at 11:56

byErik Virostko

Aryna Sabalenka didn't like Amanda Anisimova's behavior during their semi-final match at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships.

Sabalenka played her third Wimbledon semi-final, trying to reach her maiden final. Anisimova, too, wanted to make it to her maiden final at SW19, but she was the more successful player, winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Both players show their emotions on the court, and their semi-final meeting in London was no exception. There were multiple heated moments on the court, and Sabalenka discussed those during her post-match press conference.

Immediately when she arrived for the press conference, the Belarusian stated that she wouldn't say anything controversial like she did after losing the Roland Garros final. However, that didn't prevent her from being honest about some of the things she didn't like.

There was one moment when Sabalenka felt like her opponent celebrated winning the point too early. She thought it could have been a hindrance, but when the call was not made in her favor, she instead used it as motivation.

"I was just trying to chase the ball. She was already celebrating it. I was like 'I mean, that’s a bit too early.' She kind of pi**ed me off like saying 'That’s what she does all the time.' But I was grateful and thankful that she said that because I was like, it actually helped me to keep fighting."

"I was like OK, 'now I’m gonna show you the tennis.' I came back because I got really angry at that moment. Probably in the third set, I should’ve remembered, and probably it would’ve helped. But it is what it is"

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Later in the match, there was another moment when Anisimova won a point thanks to a lucky net bounce, but instead of apologizing, she celebrated the point. Sabalenka didn't like that either.

"I just looked at her, and for sure she didn't hear me, but I was just like, 'You don't want to say sorry?' But she just wanted, I guess, badly to win this match, and it's on her. If she doesn't feel like saying sorry, like she barely got that point, and she didn't even feel like saying sorry for that tricky situation, that's on her."

Despite all the heated moments, the two showed that they go by "what happens on the court, stays on the court," as they shared a nice hug at the net after the match ended.

Sabalenka will now enjoy a bit of rest before heading to the last part of the season. She has already qualified for the WTA Finals. After her great results this year, she will be the top favorite to win the US Open and all the tournaments leading up to it. The Belarusian's first event should be the Canadian Open in Montreal.

Anisimova, on the other hand, will need to recover to take on a much fresher Iga Swiatek. The Polish player breezed past Belinda Bencic in her semi-final, and the two will battle it out for the trophy on Saturday.