'IMAGINE IF YOU PAID MONEY': REACTION TO ŚWIĄTEK’S ASTONISHING DOUBLE BAGEL

Iga Świątek holds her maiden Wimbledon trophy alongside runner-up Amanda Anisimova. (Getty/Julian Finney)

Well, who in their right mind would've predicted THAT result?

Although she was open in the past about grass being her least favourite surface, Iga Świątek collected her sixth Grand Slam title, and her first at Wimbledon, after annihilating 23-year-old American Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0.

For the first time since 1911, the Wimbledon runner-up failed to secure a single game. The last time that occurred in the Open era was in 1988 when Steffi Graf won Roland-Garros in 32 minutes.

It took Świątek an extra 25 minutes to complete the job, but nonetheless, the unexpected beatdown got tennis fans talking.

"Imagine if you paid money to see the Wimbledon final and this is what you get," wrote an X user.

"She's supposed to be a professional who is paid not a small amount to be able to at least win one of her own games, surely," said one fan.

Another comment read: "Great kid, wonderful player, and she should be proud...but the result highlights an ongoing issue with ladies' tennis...57 mins is a poor return on buying a ticket to a Wimbledon final. Walkovers like this happen way too often in the women's game and not just in the early rounds."

Anisimova has won over new fans during the past fortnight after learning about her inspirational backstory.

As an 18-year-old, just a short time after reaching the Roland-Garros semi-finals, her father, who also acted as her coach, sadly passed away due to a heart attack.

In May 2023, she stepped away from the sport for a few months to prioritise her mental health.

Former Australian doubles world No.1 Rennae Stubbs was quick to defend Anisimova from the cruel comments on social media, asking the haters to "really check themselves".

However, the replies to Stubbs' post were unforgiving.

"All that can be true but losing 6-0 6-0 is embarrassing at a finale at Wimbledon and that's just the cold hard truth," one person said.

"This is a truly pathetic response. You can beat around the bush all you want but losing 6-0 6-0 in a Wimbledon final is embarrassing - while getting there was a great achievement. Both can be true and I don't need to have played a Wimbledon final to tell you that thanks," another fan added.

Another comment read: "These arrogant replies for just expressing how catastrophic the match today was, is the reason why women's tennis popularity is so declining."

The result has yet again turned the attention towards equal prize money, with the winner of the men's and women's finals taking home A$6.16 million.

For Anisimova, who knocked out top-seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals, has earned A$3.1 million.

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