Martina Navratilova gives her verdict on Amanda Anisimova’s behavior vs Aryna Sabalenka after she fails to apologize

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Amanda Anisimova has shocked the tennis world at Wimbledon, reaching her first Grand Slam final.

Few would’ve predicted Anisimova’s historic run to the final before the tournament began, as she traveled to London as the number 13 seed.

Unlucky for some, but not for Anisimova, as she defeated Renata Zarazua, Dalma Galfi, Linda Noskova, and Anastasia Pavluchenkova en route to the Wimbledon semifinals.

There, she met world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who had already appeared in two Grand Slam finals this year.

In three sets, Anisimova knocked out Sabalenka, securing her place in the 2025 Wimbledon final, where she will play Iga Swiatek.

The match was thrilling from start to finish, and not without incident, as the American failed to apologize for a net cord during their semifinal tie.

Reacting to the controversial moment, WTA legend Martina Navratilova shared her thoughts.

Martina Navratilova doesn’t think Amanda Anisimova’s failure to apologize was on purpose

Speaking to BBC Sport after the match, Navratilova gave her verdict on the incident between Anisimova and Sabalenka.

“Most of the time, you are not even looking at your opponent after you lose the point,” said Navratilova.

“I don’t think Amanda [Anisimova] was doing anything on purpose. I think she was concentrating on her side of the court and being right here to not be distracted or anything like that.

“When any other distractions were happening, she was right here. You could see she was really trying hard to concentrate and did not want to break it up.

“I think it was more that than anything else.”

Former British tennis star Anne Keothavong was also keen to weigh in with her thoughts, as she outlined what the ‘etiquette’ is when a ball hits the net before you win a point.

“It’s a difficult one. The etiquette is to put your hand up and apologize if your ball touches the top of the net and goes over,” she said.

“But equally, this is the semi-final of Wimbledon.

“You have two fierce competitors out there throwing everything they have got to win this match, and in the heat of competition, you don’t care how you win the point, you just want to win the point one way or another.

“If a bit of luck goes your way, you are going to take it.”

Upon reflection, Anisimova may regret not apologizing, but it’s not hard to understand that her mind was probably elsewhere.

Fighting for a place in a Grand Slam final, following etiquette likely wasn’t at the top of Anisimova’s list of priorities.

Putting the incident behind her, she will now turn her attention to the final and a first career meeting with Swiatek.

Can Amanda Anisimova continue the American Grand Slam winning streak?

No American woman won a Grand Slam title in 2024, as Jessica Pegula came closest, finishing as runner-up at the US Open.

Turning the nation’s fortunes around, Madison Keys won her first Grand Slam title in January, defeating Sabalenka in the final of the Australian Open.

Heading onto the clay, it was Coco Gauff’s turn to shine, as she beat Sabalenka in the final of the French Open 6-7, 6-2, 6-4.

Anisimova will have a golden opportunity to make it three from three for the United States when she takes to Centre Court on Saturday.

The 23-year-old has never played Swiatek before on the WTA Tour, as they prepare for their first career meeting on the biggest of stages.

Swiatek will likely begin the match as the favorite, having enjoyed more success at Grand Slams than Anisimova throughout her career.

The Pole has won all five of her Grand Slam finals to date, a streak she will no doubt look to extend when she plays Anisimova.

Only time will tell who will emerge victorious, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action, as Swiatek and Anisimova battle it out for the 2025 Wimbledon title on Saturday, July 12.