Barbora Krejcikova emerged victorious at Wimbledon after winning just 7 matches in the first half of the year due to injury and illness. She secured 7 straight wins at the tournament to claim her second Grand Slam title by defeating Jasmine Paolini in the Ladies Singles final.
Reflecting on her achievement, Krejcikova revealed, “I miss Jana a lot. It was just a very emotional moment to see my name on a board right next to her. I think she would be proud. I think she would be really excited that I’m on the same board as she is because Wimbledon was super special for her.”
In the final against Paolini, Krejcikova faced adversity but remained resilient. “I had a really tough draw from the very first match. I was just going match by match, feeling better and getting better. Here I am. I don’t know how that happened. But yes, I’m a winner of this edition,” she shared.
Krejcikova dedicated her triumph to Novotna, her mentor and idol, who passed away 7 years ago. “A couple of years I was working with Jana. She told me a lot of stories about her journey here, and how she was trying to win Wimbledon,” Krejcikova explained. “When I step on the court I fight for every single ball as that is what she would want me to do.”
The Czech player expressed disbelief at her Wimbledon victory, reflecting, “It’s super difficult to explain what I’m feeling right now. It’s the best day of my tennis career, and the best day of my life.” She attributed her success to the inspiration she received from Novotna, further emphasizing her emotional connection to the tournament.
Krejcikova’s triumph at Wimbledon not only honored her late mentor but also solidified her status as a powerhouse in the sport.
