Barbora Krejcikova defeated Italy’s seventh seed Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 on Centre Court on Saturday to win her first Wimbledon title.
The 28-year-old Czech wasted two match points in a tension-filled final game before cashing in a third to seal a famous victory in one hour and 56 minutes, adding the Venus Rosewater dish to her 2021 French Open title.
Krejcikova’s victory comes 26 years after Novotna won her only Grand Slam title – she famously cried on the Duchess of Kent’s shoulder after losing to Steffi Graf five years ago – before lifting her most coveted trophy.
Novotna coached Krejcikova as a teenager but never saw her go on to a professional career, dying of cancer in 2017 at the age of 49.
“Knocking on her door changed my life,” Krejcikova said. “When I finished junior I didn’t know if I should continue or go into education. Jana was the one who told me I had what it takes to be a pro.”
“Before she passed away, she told me to win a Grand Slam. I won in Paris in 2021 and it was an incredible moment for me. I couldn’t believe that I was going to win the same trophy that Jana won in 1998.”
Krejcikova continued her strong form at Wimbledon, beating 2022 champion Elena Rybakina in the semifinals to become the eighth women’s singles champion in the past eight years.
The 28-year-old was playing in 13 Grand Slam finals across singles and doubles, losing just one, so it was no surprise that she thrived on the biggest stage, taking the ball to every corner of the court and serving superbly.
Actor Hugh Jackman sat in the Royal Box with several former Wimbledon champions, and the crowd cheered Paolini’s comeback with all their might.
But just getting a point in the third game took a Herculean effort from the Italian, as Krejcikova missed just two of her 21 first serves and quickly closed out the set.
After winning just three games in the final against Iga Swiatek in Paris, Paolini left the court for a toilet break and saw a sudden shift in momentum when play resumed.
Paolini found depth and power in her shots, forcing several errors from Krejcikova’s racquet and opening up a 3-0 lead.
The Italian’s smiley attitude and positive energy have won her many fans this summer, and when she equalized the game, half the crowd was on their feet.
Now it was his turn to leave the court for a break, but tensions were building as both players held serve comfortably early in the third set.
Paolini first felt the pressure in the seventh game and it affected her, as she found herself in a difficult position with two errors and then double-faulted to give Krejcikova a break.
The Czech player dropped just one service point in the first four games of the final set but looked nervous trying to close it out and had to save two break points before sealing the victory on her third match point.
“I’m speechless right now. I can’t believe what just happened. It’s the best day of my tennis career, the best day of my life,” Krejcikova said.
“It’s so hard to explain how I feel right now. I want to congratulate Jasmine and her team. It was a fantastic final and I was the lucky one in the end. It’s amazing what she has achieved in such a short time.”
“I just told myself to be brave. It was a very difficult match but a great final, a great tournament. I’m very happy to be standing here enjoying this moment.”
“I don’t think anyone will believe that I won Wimbledon. I still can’t believe it. Two weeks ago I had a really tough match down 7-5 in the third set and I wasn’t playing well.”
“I had a bad start to the season with injuries and illness and now I’m a Wimbledon winner. How did that happen?”
Clutching her second Grand Slam runner-up trophy, Paolini said, “It’s a dream come true to be able to play here. Congratulations, Barbora, you played incredible. Such beautiful tennis.”
“These past two months have been very difficult for me. I would like to thank my team and family for supporting me and always believing in me.”
“The crowds have been amazing these past two weeks. It’s been incredible to receive so much support and feel the love from them.”
“I’m a little sad, but I’m trying to keep a smile on my face and remember that today is a good day. I remember watching the matches as a kid and cheering on (Roger) Federer, so to be here now is incredible. It’s been an amazing two weeks.”
Krejcikova will return to the singles top 10 on Monday, with Paolini at a career-high No. 5, and Krejcikova will become the first woman representing the Czech Republic to win Grand Slam titles on different surfaces.
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