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An open-mouthed Barbora Krejcikova held up her arms in disbelief as she completed victory at Wimbledon on Saturday (13 July).
The Czech dug deep to beat French Open runner-up Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 and claim her second Grand Slam singles tennis title. It capped a superb fortnight for Krejcikova who had previously failed to reach a quarter-final in 2024.
Afterward, Krejcikova reflected, “It’s unbelievable. Just two weeks ago, I started here. I had a very tough first match, three hours and 15 minutes, winning 7-5 in the third set. I wasn’t really in good shape before that because I was injured and ill and I didn’t really have a good beginning of the season. Now I’m standing here and I’m a Wimbledon winner. How did that happen? I have no idea.”
She also paid tribute to her former mentor, 1998 champion Jana Novotna, who died in 2017. She said, “Jana was the one that told me I had the potential and that I should definitely turn pro and just try to make it. Before she passed away she told me to go and win a Slam.
“I achieved that already in Paris in 2021 and it was an unbelievable moment for me. And I never really dreamed that I would win the same trophy as Jana did in 1998.”
After coming from a set down to defeat 2022 champion Elena Rybakina in Thursday’s semi-finals, the 2021 French Open champion wasted no time in hitting her stride and a crisp forehand cross-court winner saw her break serve in the very first game.
The 28-year-old then held to love as Paolini struggled to find any sort of rhythm. Every point for the Italian was cheered loudly, and she managed to save two break points to hold for 1-2.
However, Krejcikova’s consistent depth and power from the baseline was proving too much as she broke again for 4-1 before serving out for the opening set.
After taking a toilet break, Paolini held serve at the start of the second. She then brought up two break points, and a netted backhand from Krejcikova saw her take a 2-0 lead to the delight of the crowd.
Krejcikova had slipped out of “the zone” she spoke of finding during her semi-final and Paolini was suddenly the more aggressive of the two. Her trademark athleticism saw her win at least two points she had no right to, and she went on to break serve again to force the decider.
This time it was Krejcikova’s turn to leave Centre Court and, with the likes of Zendaya, Tom Cruise and Hugh Jackman in the stands, the players served up a thriller worthy of the big screen.
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