Barbora Krejcikova’s victory at Wimbledon came as a surprise to many. Despite winning the 2021 French Open title, her success at the All England Club was unexpected due to a tough season leading up to the tournament. With a back injury, an illness, and an 0-4 record on clay, Krejcikova was not considered a favorite to win. Her ranking had fallen to No. 32, and ESPN Bet had given her 100-1 odds to win the tournament. However, Krejcikova’s performance throughout the fortnight proved her doubters wrong.
Throughout the tournament, Barbora Krejcikova showed her determination and skill with each match she played. She defeated formidable opponents like No. 11 seed Danielle Collins and No. 13 seed Jelena Ostapenko in the Round of 16 and quarterfinals. In the semifinals, she mounted a comeback against Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, to secure her spot in the final match against Jasmine Paolini. Despite facing tough competition, Krejcikova’s resilience and focus propelled her to victory.
In the final match against Jasmine Paolini, the No. 7 seed and crowd favorite, Krejcikova faced a formidable opponent. After dominating the opening set with a 5-1 lead, Paolini mounted a comeback in the second set, winning three games in a row. The deciding set was intense, with both players vying for the championship title. Krejcikova’s composure and determination proved to be the deciding factor in clinching the victory on her third match point. Paolini acknowledged Krejcikova’s skill and praised her opponent for playing “beautiful tennis.”
A Historic Win
With her victory at Wimbledon, Barbora Krejcikova made history as the first player in the Open Era to win both of her first two Grand Slam finals in deciding sets. Her performance throughout the tournament was impressive, with 175 games played in singles, marking the most by a woman champion in the Open Era. Krejcikova’s emotional post-match interview reflected her gratitude and dedication to the sport, as well as her late mentor Jana Novotna, who had inspired her to pursue a professional tennis career.
Following her triumph at Wimbledon, Barbora Krejcikova will return to the top 10 in the latest rankings. As the defending gold medalist in doubles with Katerina Siniakova, Krejcikova will aim to repeat their success at the upcoming Olympics. Additionally, she will continue to compete in singles matches to build on her momentum before the season transitions to the hard court for the US Open. Despite the challenges she faced leading up to Wimbledon, Krejcikova’s victory solidifies her as a rising star in the world of tennis.
Overall, Barbora Krejcikova’s Wimbledon victory is a testament to her resilience, skill, and determination. Despite facing setbacks and doubts, she rose to the occasion and emerged as the champion, marking a historic moment in her career. With her eyes set on future competitions and continued success, Krejcikova’s journey is one to watch as she continues to make her mark on the tennis world.