After an upset-filled opening week in Wimbledon, the Grand Slam final will feature massive storylines on the men’s and women’s singles brackets—which could become a major for U.S. broadcast partner ESPN.
The women’s final will feature U.S. star Amanda Anisimova, the first American to make a Wimbledon final since Serena Williams in 2019. It’s a welcome sight for the U.S. after top-ranked Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula were both knocked out in the first round.
Anisimova, who returned last year after a one-year break to focus on her mental health, will face former world No. 1 Iga Świątek in the final. Świątek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, has notoriously struggled on grass, but this year will be her first Wimbledon final. A win Saturday would leave the Australian Open as the only major she has yet to win.
Americans in the final are often a winning recipe for ESPN, which holds the U.S. broadcasting rights to Wimbledon until 2035. While Gauff would be the best bet on the women’s side, an Anisimova win would likely draw—or at least build the 23-year-old’s star power moving forward.
The men’s semifinals commence Friday, but both brackets come with significant intrigue. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, world Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, would be a dream final just a month after their five-set blockbuster at Roland-Garros.
However, Novak Djokovic could break through and defeat Sinner, which would give him a chance at a historic 25th Grand Slam. On the other side, if Taylor Fritz can upset Alcaraz, he’d be the first American man to make the Wimbledon singles final since Andy Roddick in 2009.
The last American man to win a Grand Slam title was Roddick in 2003. Pete Sampras was the last American to triumph at Wimbledon in 2000.
Winners on both the men’s and women’s sides will take home a record $4.1 million first prize.
