London, July 13: In a riveting contest that showcased nerves of steel and world-class teamwork, Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens captured the Wimbledon 2025 women’s doubles title with a hard-fought 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 win over Hsieh Su-Wei and Jelena Ostapenko on Sunday at Centre Court.
The No. 8 seeds battled back from a set down and a 2-4 deficit in the decider to script a memorable comeback and secure the coveted trophy.
The victory marked Kudermetova’s maiden Grand Slam title, while for Mertens, it was a historic fifth major in doubles and her second Wimbledon title.
The Belgian had previously triumphed at the All England Club in 2021, coincidentally alongside Hsieh Su-Wei—denying Kudermetova that year in a marathon final.
“I lost that final and it was so painful,” said Kudermetova in an emotional post-match interview. “Today I said to myself, I really want it. And it’s mine now.”
The final began with the fourth-seeded pair of Hsieh and Ostapenko taking control.
They rallied from an early break down to win five straight games and claim the opening set 6-3.
The Chinese Taipei–Latvia duo, brimming with energy and confidence, looked on course to secure the title.
But the match swung decisively in the second set. Kudermetova and Mertens settled into rhythm, breaking serve twice and rediscovering their chemistry at the net and from the baseline. Kudermetova’s sharp volleys combined with Mertens’ unwavering groundstrokes to overpower their opponents 6-2 and take the contest into a third set.
The decider was no less dramatic. Hsieh and Ostapenko again edged ahead to lead 4-2, seemingly on the brink of victory.
But the eighth seeds dug deep, reeling off four consecutive games and saving their best tennis for the crucial closing stages.
Kudermetova struck the final blow with a perfectly executed volley winner, sparking celebrations in the stands.
The win caps off a remarkable reunion for Kudermetova and Mertens, who had previously won the WTA Finals together in 2022 before parting ways. Reunited in the spring of 2025, the duo reached finals in Madrid and Rome, and peaked at just the right moment in London to lift the Grand Slam trophy.
The result was also a bitter pill for Ostapenko, who was eyeing her second major doubles crown after winning the 2024 US Open and had a chance to rise to World No. 1 in doubles.
Hsieh, already a four-time Wimbledon champion with three different partners, fell just short of adding a fifth crown.
Nonetheless, the final stood out as one of the most captivating women’s doubles contests in recent memory—full of momentum swings, high-level rallies, and emotional subplots, ultimately cementing Kudermetova and Mertens as worthy champions at the hallowed lawns of SW19.
With this triumph, Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens not only etched their names into Wimbledon history but also reaffirmed their credentials as one of the most formidable pairs in women’s doubles. Their ability to rally under pressure, adapt mid-match, and reignite a once-paused partnership speaks volumes of their professionalism and synergy. For Kudermetova, the title brings long-awaited redemption after her heartbreak in 2021, while Mertens further cements her legacy as a consistent Grand Slam performer. As the duo lifted the iconic trophy on Centre Court, it symbolised not just a win, but a remarkable journey of persistence, reunion, and reward. (Agencies)
