'Tank This Set': Kyrgios Gives Anisimova Outrageous Advice For Wimbledon Final
NewsSunday, 13 July 2025 at 21:02
Nick Kyrgios was his usual authentic self while watching the women's final at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships between Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova.
For the first time in 114 years, a Wimbledon final ended 6-0, 6-0 after Swiatek demolished her American opponent. It was a very tough day for Anisimova, who ran out of steam after playing so well to reach that stage.
Although Swiatek played an excellent match and deserves much credit, Anisimova never found any rhythm. It might not have been a bad idea to try something unconventional in a desperate attempt to rattle the four-time French Open champion.
Kyrgios is the best man for providing original solutions that others would not consider. He participated in a watch-along with two-time Grand Slam semifinalist Coco Vandeweghe and Daniel Evans.
With the score at 4-0 to Swiatek in the opening set, Kyrgios argued that Anisimova should stop trying and deliberately hand the Pole the opening set, since she had no chance of winning it, but could throw the former WTA world No. 1 off-rhythm.
"I know it sounds crazy, but in a moment like this, I would completely tank this set. I would just throw this set away and give my opponent no rhythm, and just rope-a-dope like in boxing, and get ready for the second. Like, what her chances, realistically, of winning this set right now?"
Kyrgios had his colleagues in stitches shortly afterward when he suggested that Anisimova hit four consecutive underarm serves, a tactic the Australian has employed as a surprise tactic against opponents standing far back.
The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up's comments went even further after Swiatek made it 5-0. Kyrgios made the case for Anisimova not even bothering to hit any of her opponent's returns during the game.
"If I was the coach, I would tell Amanda not to even hit a ball this game. Just walk side to side."
Tanking games is something Kyrgios has done many times during his career, especially when an opponent is well ahead in a set. The 30-year-old would often not be bothered and already have his mind on the next set during those moments.
A memorable example was in the fourth round of his 2022 Wimbledon final run against Brandon Nakashima. Despite only being one break down at 3-5 in the fourth set, Kyrgios did not try on serve in that game, something he admitted to afterward.
The Australian did that to disrupt Nakashima's rhythm. Although many raised eyebrows at the time, the method worked. Nakashima's level dropped in the fifth set, allowing Kyrgios to win it 6-2.
After another spell out with an injury, Kyrgios will return to the ATP Tour at the 2025 Citi Open in Washington. He has won the tournament twice and could not contain his excitement when making the announcement.
Kyrgios also generated headlines for revealing a plan to play a Battle of the Sexes match against the WTA world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, with adjustments to the usual rules to make the match even.
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