Krejcikova Reflects On Wimbledon Triumph, Says Nobody Will Believe She Won.
As Barbora Krejcikova stood holding the Venus Rosewater Dish, she could only marvel at the reality of her achievement. “I don’t have any words right now, it’s just unbelievable,” the Czech champion said, to rapturous applause from the crowd.
Reflecting on what her victory means for the Czech Republic, she added: “Well, I think nobody believes it that I got to the final and nobody believes that I won Wimbledon. I still can’t believe it.”
Krejcikova arrived at SW19 having won just three matches in five months, her season hampered by injury and illness. Yet, she leaves as the Wimbledon champion, triumphing in seven consecutive matches, culminating in a thrilling 6-2 2-6 6-4 victory against seventh seed Jasmine Paolini.
Her campaign began with a tough three-set win over Veronika Kudermetova, a match that saw two tie-breaks and a 7-5 decider. From these challenging beginnings, Krejcikova found the form that turned her dream into reality.
“Two weeks ago I had a very tough match, and I wasn’t in good shape before that because I was injured and ill,” Krejcikova recounted. “I didn’t really have a good beginning to the season. It’s unbelievable I’m stood here now and I’ve won Wimbledon. I have no idea [how it happened].”
The memory of Jana Novotna, the 1998 Wimbledon champion, was a constant presence during Krejcikova’s journey to this title. At 18, Krejcikova and her parents visited Novotna’s home to seek her help. Novotna agreed, becoming both coach and mentor until her death from ovarian cancer in 2017 at the age of 49.
“That day, knocking on her door, it changed my life,” Krejcikova said in her on-court interview. “She was the one who told me I had the potential and I should definitely turn pro. Before she passed away she told me I can win a Slam. I achieved that in Paris in 2021 and it was an unbelievable moment for me and I never really dreamed I would win the same trophy as Jana did in 1998.”
Choosing to stay in a house rather than a hotel during Wimbledon, Krejcikova prefers the “relaxed atmosphere” of the place where Novotna used to reside during the Championships. Now, both their names are etched on the women’s champions board at Wimbledon, a sight that moved Krejcikova to tears as she stood with the trophy.
“I think she would be proud,” Krejcikova said. “I think she would be really excited that I’m on the same board as she is because Wimbledon was super special for her.”
Krejcikova’s victory at Wimbledon is not just a testament to her resilience and talent but also a heartfelt homage to her mentor, making this win an unforgettable moment in her career and for Czech tennis.
BBC
