The Grand Slam tournaments—Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open—represent the pinnacle of professional tennis. They are where legends are forged, rivalries are intensified, and where the greatest players of each generation cement their legacies. Yet, despite the tradition of fierce competition and closely contested matches, history has also witnessed finals that were shockingly one-sided, with winners steamrolling their opponents in displays of utter dominance. The 6–0, 6–0 result in the 2025 Wimbledon women’s final has reignited the conversation about the most lopsided finals in Grand Slam history. This essay examines some of the most notable examples, explores their contexts, and reflects on what such one-sided outcomes tell us about the nature of the sport at its highest level.

Historical Precedents: The Double Bagel

Perhaps the most striking aspect of the 2025 Wimbledon women’s final is that it ended in a double bagel: 6–0, 6–0. This is not just rare—it is nearly unprecedented at this level. In the Open Era (since 1968), only a handful of Grand Slam singles finals have been decided with such an emphatic scoreline.

The most famous prior instance on the women’s side came in 1988 at the French Open, when Steffi Graf defeated Natasha Zvereva 6–0, 6–0 in a mere 32 minutes. That match remains one of the shortest and most dominant finals in tennis history. Graf, then at the height of her powers and on her way to completing the calendar-year Grand Slam, simply overwhelmed the young and inexperienced Zvereva. The match was remarkable not just for the scoreline but also for what it revealed about the gulf between the very best and the merely excellent in women’s tennis at the time.

Graf’s double bagel over Zvereva stood as a singular statistical outlier for decades. Before her, there were no recorded double bagels in women’s Grand Slam finals, and after her, none until the 2025 Wimbledon final. Even in earlier eras, when disparities in skill and preparation were greater, most women’s finals still saw at least one or two games won by the losing finalist. The rarity of such results underscores just how unusual it is to witness such dominance on a stage as grand as a Slam final.

Other One-Sided Women’s Finals

Even when not decided by double bagels, several other women’s finals have been surprisingly lopsided. Chris Evert’s 6–0, 6–1 demolition of Olga Morozova in the 1974 French Open final and Martina Navratilova’s 6–0, 6–3 victory over Andrea Jaeger at Wimbledon in 1983 are notable examples. Both matches showcased champions at the peak of their games against opponents who were clearly outmatched on the day.

Similarly, Serena Williams has recorded some dominant finals wins. At the 2014 US Open, she defeated Caroline Wozniacki 6–3, 6–3, and in the 2012 Olympics gold medal match—though not technically a Slam final—she beat Maria Sharapova 6–0, 6–1. Serena’s raw power and mental toughness often led to one-sided scorelines in major matches, though even she never achieved a double bagel in a Slam final.

Men’s Finals: Rare but Not Unheard Of

On the men’s side, Grand Slam finals tend to be more competitive because of the best-of-five format, which allows players more time to recover from a slow start. Nevertheless, there have been some extremely one-sided men’s finals as well.

At the 2014 French Open, Rafael Nadal defeated David Ferrer 6–3, 6–2, 6–3. While not as emphatic as a double bagel, the scoreline reflected Nadal’s overwhelming superiority on clay. Similarly, Björn Borg’s 1978 French Open final against Guillermo Vilas ended 6–1, 6–1, 6–3, in a match that confirmed Borg’s status as the undisputed king of Roland Garros.

In earlier decades, such as the 1920s and 1930s, lopsided finals were more common, partly due to less depth in the field and greater disparities in training and professionalism. Bill Tilden’s 6–1, 6–2, 6–4 win over Bill Johnston at the 1925 US Championships exemplifies this trend. Yet even these matches usually fell short of the absolute dominance suggested by a double bagel.

Why Do Lopsided Finals Happen?

Several factors can contribute to a shockingly one-sided final:

Psychological Pressure – A player facing their first final may crumble under the weight of expectation, while a seasoned champion plays freely and with confidence. Mismatch in Styles – Some players’ games simply match up poorly against certain opponents. If a player’s strength is neutralized and their weaknesses exposed, the match can spiral quickly. Injury or Fatigue – An opponent who enters the final carrying an injury or exhausted from prior matches may be unable to compete at their usual level. Exceptional Performance – Sometimes, a player is simply “in the zone,” playing at a level that no opponent could match on the day.

The Significance of the 2025 Wimbledon Final

The 2025 Wimbledon women’s final is significant not only because it joined the extremely exclusive club of double bagel finals but also because it happened at Wimbledon, where grass courts often produce more competitive matches due to the fast surface and shorter rallies. That a player could win 6–0, 6–0 in such a setting speaks volumes about her dominance and mental fortitude—and perhaps about her opponent’s nerves or preparation.

The Value of Competition

While tennis fans and historians cherish the drama of long, close matches—think Nadal vs. Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final—there is also something awe-inspiring about a display of complete dominance. It reminds us of the greatness that elite players can achieve, the high standards they set, and the mental and physical perfection required to execute such a performance under pressure.

However, lopsided finals also raise questions about the competitiveness of the field, particularly in women’s tennis, where the gap between the very best and the rest can occasionally seem wider. Such matches invite reflection on how the sport can nurture more balanced rivalries and more evenly matched finals in the future.

Conclusion

The history of Grand Slam tennis is dotted with memorable finals, most of them fiercely contested, some of them epic. Yet every so often, a final comes along that defies expectations—not because it is close, but because it is shockingly one-sided. The 1988 French Open and the 2025 Wimbledon women’s final stand as testaments to just how dominant a player can be when talent, preparation, and opportunity align. While rare, such results become part of the sport’s lore, highlighting both the brilliance of the victor and the unforgiving nature of elite competition. In a sport where every point can turn a match, these lopsided finals serve as reminders of tennis’s capacity for both drama and sheer, unrelenting excellence.