Barbora Krejcikova continued the impressive run of Czech women at the All England Club with a thrilling victory over Jasmine Paolini. Despite her composed demeanor on the court, emotions caught up with her away from the Centre Court spotlight after claiming her first Wimbledon crown.
Krejcikova, known for her picturesque and effortless play, managed to keep her emotions in check as she secured the win. Her smile was uncontainable as she received the Venus Rosewater Dish under the rare sunshine of southwest London. However, the mention of her mentor—the late Jana Novotna, the 1998 champion—by on-court interviewer Annabel Croft brought a wave of emotion.
Czech players have a strong affinity for Wimbledon. A year after Marketa Vondrousova’s unexpected triumph and a decade after Petra Kvitova’s second title, the 31st-seeded Krejcikova defied expectations by overcoming the spirited challenge of Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in a gripping three-set match, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. She became the eighth different women’s singles champion in as many years.
Raising her arms in delight after a dramatic final game, the 28-year-old Krejcikova was in a state of shock—a feeling that lingered during her post-match speech. “I can’t explain what I’m feeling right now… I still can’t believe it,” she said. “Two weeks ago, I won 7-5 in the third set in my first round, now I’m standing here – it’s unbelievable.”
After taking the obligatory photos and beaming during her Centre Court lap of honour, the real emotions surfaced when she saw her name on the honours board next to Novotna’s. Krejcikova had met her idol at the age of 18, handing her a letter seeking advice on her future. Novotna, who passed away from ovarian cancer in 2017, had encouraged her to persevere, advice that had now culminated in this monumental achievement.
