Amanda Anisimova was beaten badly by Iga Swiatek in yesterday’s Wimbledon final, in a match that was really tough to watch.
Even fans of the Polish star, who claimed her sixth Grand Slam title, will have winced at the suffocating nature of the performance, not allowing the nervous American even a second to focus.
From the very first ball, it was relentless, and the first-time major finalist could not cope.
However, it almost felt like this was always going to be the case.
Inexperience met a multiple-time champion, and the former had no time to settle. Had tennis made a crucial rule change, which has been debated in recent months, perhaps things could have been different for Amanda Anisimova.
At the very least, she would have had a chance of coming back.
Tennis should make rule change after one-sided ladies’ Wimbledon final
The best-of-three set format has been a mainstay in women’s tennis for over 100 years, with only very brief instances where they experimented with five sets.
And, throughout history, there have been calls to increase the number of sets.
Whether players wanted it or not, tournament organisers almost always voted against it, preventing this evolution.
However, perhaps yesterday’s Wimbledon final might be the perfect example needed to reignite this motion.
After all, Anisimova’s slow start left her immediately under pressure, and as the match went on and she continually failed to get a game on the board, that will have only increased.
As the prospect of an embarrassing double bagel widened, she would have only got more tense.
Had they been playing a best-of-five match, she would have been afforded ample time to correct her mistakes, settle, and swing more freely knowing that she has time on her side. Similarly, Iga Swiatek would have had to manage herself physically, perhaps easing that intensity too to create a greater contest.
There is still room for speedy victories in this format, but it also eradicates the possibility of such an overwhelming blowout like yesterday’s match.
Andy Murray spoke about women playing best-of-five matches back in 2023, with his opinion an interesting counter.
Not every women’s match needs to be best-of-five sets
This change would not have to be dramatic and widespread. After all, the men now only play the best-of-five format at Grand Slams, having reduced the Masters 1000 finals from five to three in 2008.
It proves that players can still condition themselves for one specific format, but have it in them to go the distance at the majors to really prove their worth.
Not only that, but it also increases the grandiose, superior nature of these elite events, making winning a title there even more impressive than before. Not only do you need technical superiority, but your physical condition must be pristine as well.
To start, it might only need introducing in the second week of women’s Grand Slams, playing the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals in that format.
It’s certainly worth considering, to avoid another two-set demolition that not only gives the spectator little enjoyment, but prevents the player suffering such a defeat no chance to slow down or come back.
The drama involved in a best-of-five set match is unparalleled, with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz proving that in Paris just last month.
