Krejcikova of Czech Republic Wins Wimbledon for Second Grand Slam Title
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Loading... - Kevin Sinclair
- 18 Jul 2024
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Barbora Krejcikova continually expressed disbelief that she won Wimbledon, securing her second Grand Slam title. Her first major championship came as an unseeded player at the French Open three years ago, which was a surprise. This victory, a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 triumph over Jasmine Paolini in the final at the All England Club on Saturday, may have been just as unexpected, but it underscores that Krejcikova's success is not just a fluke.
"It's just unreal what just happened. Definitely the best day of my tennis career—and also the best day of my life," said the 28-year-old Czech. She thanked her late mentor, 1998 Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna, for inspiring her to pursue professional tennis.
Even while holding her champion's plate, Krejcikova called herself "the lucky one" for overcoming the seventh-seeded Paolini, who had also been the runner-up at the French Open last month.
Krejcikova entered Wimbledon as the 31st of 32 seeds after a season marred by illness and a back injury, limiting her to a 7-9 record before the tournament. Despite initial doubts, she overcame a challenging three-set match in the first round. By the end of the tournament, Paolini acknowledged Krejcikova's skill during the trophy ceremony, saying, "You play such beautiful tennis."
Krejcikova is the eighth woman to win Wimbledon in the past eight years. Last year's champion, unseeded Marketa Vondrousova, also hails from the Czech Republic but lost in the first round this year.
Paolini is the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach the finals at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same season, and the first since Venus Williams in 2002 to lose both.
The final match saw both players taking turns in control. Krejcikova started strongly, winning 10 of the first 11 points and quickly gaining a 5-1 lead. Despite the crowd's support for Paolini, Krejcikova maintained her composure. Known for her net skills—she has won seven Grand Slam women's doubles titles, including two at Wimbledon—Krejcikova primarily relied on her consistent baseline play.
Paolini attempted to change the pace with serve-and-volley tactics and drop shots but couldn't unsettle Krejcikova in the first set. After losing the first set, Paolini took a break and returned as a rejuvenated player, taking a 3-0 lead in the second set. She leveled the match at one set apiece.
Krejcikova then left the court to regroup and returned to form in the final set. She sharpened her shots, hitting 14 winners in the third set compared to just four in the second.
"I was just telling myself to be brave," Krejcikova said.
At 3-all in the deciding set, Paolini double-faulted, giving Krejcikova the crucial break. Krejcikova held her serve to lead 5-3, but faced a challenge when serving for the championship. She saved two break points and needed three match points to finally secure the win, clinching the title when Paolini missed a backhand.
"Nobody believes that I got to the final. And I think nobody's going to believe that I won Wimbledon," Krejcikova said moments after her victory. "I still cannot believe it. It's unbelievable."
