By 
In a performance that emphatically silenced all her grasscourt doubters, Iga Swiatek dismantled Belinda Bencic 6-2, 6-0 on Thursday to reach her first-ever Wimbledon final. On a sun-drenched Centre Court, the Polish superstar showcased power, precision, and poise, cruising into the final with a display of tennis brilliance that sent a clear message to the rest of the field: the Queen of Clay is now ready to conquer grass.
Swiatek, who had never advanced past the quarterfinals at the All England Club before this year, has been on a mission throughout this tournament. Known for her dominance on clay—highlighted by four French Open titles—the 24-year-old has historically struggled on grass, a surface that demands quick adaptation and punishes even slight lapses in footwork or timing. But those concerns were nowhere to be found as Swiatek put on a clinic against Bencic, booking a final date with American Amanda Anisimova, who earlier stunned world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping semifinal.
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Breaking the Grass Barrier
“This feels surreal,” said a visibly thrilled Swiatek in her post-match interview. Honestly, I never even dreamt that it was going to be possible for me to play in the final here. I’m just super excited and so proud of myself.”
Honestly-I-never-even-dreamt-that-it-was-going-to-be-possible-for-me-to-play-in-the-final-here-I’m-just-super-excited-and-so-proud-of-myself.”
Her joy was infectious, but beneath the excitement was the story of an athlete who has worked relentlessly to overcome a perceived weakness in her otherwise stellar game. Grass has been the final frontier for Swiatek, and her transformation this season—from a hesitant mover on grass to an unstoppable force—has been as rapid as it is impressive.
Much of that transformation began in Bad Homburg, where she reached the final in a key warm-up tournament leading into Wimbledon. That confidence has now snowballed into a full-blown surge, with Swiatek playing arguably the best grasscourt tennis of her career in London.
A Demolition Job on Centre Court
Against Bencic, Swiatek was in a class of her own. The Swiss player, ranked 35th in the world and making a notable comeback after returning from maternity leave last October, was simply overpowered. Despite playing clean, disciplined tennis with fewer unforced errors than Swiatek, Bencic found herself on the wrong side of a 68-minute mauling.
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Swiatek broke Bencic twice in the opening set, seizing her first break opportunity with a searing forehand winner and then closing out the set 6-2 after Bencic netted a backhand. In the second set, Swiatek upped the ante, breaking three more times as she reeled off six straight games to complete the bagel.
Her serve was sharp, her movement was fluid, and her shot selection was razor-like. With 26 winners struck from both wings, Swiatek was relentless in her approach. Even her trademark fist pumps seemed crisper, each one punctuating another step toward her long-sought goal of Wimbledon glory.
Bencic’s Brave Fight
To her credit, Bencic fought valiantly. The 28-year-old Olympic champion, who entered the 2025 season ranked outside the top 400 after her maternity break, has staged a remarkable comeback this year. Her dream run to the semifinals included some gritty wins and highlighted her resilience and baseline prowess.
Bencic fought valiantly. The 28-year-old Olympic champion, who entered the 2025 season ranked outside the top 400 after her maternity break, has staged a remarkable comeback this year
But against a fully locked-in Swiatek, there was little she could do. Bencic had two break point chances early in the second set, which could have potentially shifted the momentum. Swiatek, however, saved both with authoritative serving and then promptly broke Bencic’s serve to reestablish control.
“She was just too good today,” Bencic admitted afterward. “I tried everything, but she didn’t give me any space to play my game.”
Unleashing Her Inner Rockstar
Swiatek’s pre-match ritual is as intense as her game. With her headphones blasting a hard-hitting playlist of AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, and Led Zeppelin, she walked onto Centre Court looking every bit the rockstar she is rapidly becoming on grass.
Once play began, her aggression was evident. She took the ball early, dictated from the baseline, and punished any short ball with blistering pace. The speed and precision of her forehands and backhands were too much for Bencic, who found herself on the defensive for most of the encounter.
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The Final Awaits
With this victory, Swiatek now stands one match away from completing the elusive “Surface Slam”—winning a Grand Slam title on each surface. Having already captured four French Opens and a US Open title on hard courts, Wimbledon has long been the missing piece in her collection. A win on Saturday would cement her legacy as one of the most versatile champions of her generation.
Standing in her way is Amanda Anisimova, the talented American who has also had her own Cinderella run at the tournament. Anisimova stunned top seed Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping three-set semifinal, showing nerves of steel and powerful baseline play.
Swiatek and Anisimova share a bit of history. Both broke onto the scene as teenagers and have faced off in high-stakes matches before. Their upcoming showdown promises to be a battle of grit, skill, and mental fortitude.
A Journey of Growth
Swiatek’s Wimbledon journey this year is more than a tale of technical improvement; it’s also a story of emotional and psychological growth. In past years, she has spoken candidly about her discomfort on grass, often feeling out of sync with the fast-paced nature of the surface. But instead of avoiding it, she embraced the challenge.
“Tennis keeps surprising me,” Swiatek reflected. “I thought I’d experienced everything on court. But I hadn’t experienced playing well on grass—until now. It’s a new feeling, and I’m enjoying every moment.”
Her transformation from a hesitant grasscourt competitor to a Wimbledon finalist is a testament to the power of belief, preparation, and adaptability.
Looking Ahead
As the world eagerly awaits the women’s final, one thing is certain: Iga Swiatek has arrived at Wimbledon, and she’s not just here to participate—she’s here to win.
Whether or not she lifts the Venus Rosewater Dish on Saturday, her journey to this point has already added a thrilling new chapter to her career. But given her current form, few would bet against her finishing the job.
In her words, “I just want to keep going, keep improving, and maybe make some more history.”
After all, that’s what champions do. And now, even on grass, Iga Swiatek is proving she’s one of the best in the game.
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