Inspired, Krejcikova emulates mentor Novotna with Wimbledon triumph

LONDON – An inspired Barbora Krejcikova inscribed her name on Wimbledon’s famous roll of honour alongside her late mentor Jana Novotna after the seasoned Czech survived a stirring fightback from Jasmine Paolini to seal a 6-2 2-6 6-4 victory in the final on Saturday.

The 2021 French Open champion added the Venus Rosewater Dish to her rich trophy cabinet which also includes 10 Grand Slam doubles awards in addition to an Olympic doubles gold medal at the Tokyo Games three years ago.

Moments after her triumph, Krejcikova reflected on a conversation she had as a junior with her idol Novotna, who won the Wimbledon title 26 years ago and tragically died in 2017 after a battle with ovarian cancer at the age of 49.

“By knocking on her door, my life changed,” said Krejcikova, who asked Novotna for help in a letter before they began working together in 2014.

“At that time, when I finished my junior studies, I didn’t know what to do. Should I continue playing professionally or should I go into studies?

“She was the one who told me I had potential. I should definitely turn professional. Before she died, she told me I could win a Grand Slam. I did that in Paris in 2021.

“It was an incredible moment for me and I never imagined that I would win the same trophy as Jana in 1998.”

Novotna captured the hearts of fans when she sobbed on the Duchess of Kent’s shoulders at the 1993 presentation ceremony after being beaten by Steffi Graf.

On Saturday, it was Krejcikova who burst into tears when she was shown her idol’s name on the All England Club’s roll of honour.

“The only thing that was going through my mind was that I missed Jana a lot. It was a very emotional moment to see my name on a billboard right next to hers,” Krejcikova told reporters.

“I think she would be proud. I think she would be really pleased that I’m on the same board as her because Wimbledon was very special to her.”

Menacing mood

In a final between two players whose style is more suited to the slow clay of Roland Garros than the smooth grass of the All England Club, Krejcikova started in a menacing mood with heavy strokes to dictate play.

She ran throughout the first set on a sunny Centre Court before the crowd roared on Roland-Garros finalist Paolini to spur her into action.

The ever-smiling Italian responded and levelled the match with her usual dynamism, but Krejcikova quickly regained the advantage after breaking her serve at 3-3 thanks to a double fault and pulled away.

Serving for the title at 5-4, Krejcikova endured a nervous spell as she squandered two match points before saving two break points to seal victory at the third attempt – a result that left even her stunned.

“I don’t think anyone believes I made it to the final and no one believes I won Wimbledon,” said Krejcikova, who joined an elite list of Czech Wimbledon champions that includes Marketa Vondrousova, Petra Kvitova and Novotna.

“I still can’t believe it.

“…It’s definitely the best day of my tennis career and also the best day of my life.”

The win was all the more special for Krejcikova, who had a losing record heading into Wimbledon. In fact, she had won just seven matches all season when she arrived in London due to a back injury and illness. Her record of 7-9 in 2024 was nothing to write home about.

She doubled that total of matches won with her run to the title at the major grass-court tournament and on Saturday she threw her arms in the air and shouted “This is awesome” after completing her incredible run.

She also became the eighth different women’s champion in as many editions.

“Two weeks ago I had a tough match (in the first round against Veronika Kudermetova) and I was not in good shape before that because I was injured and sick. I didn’t really have a good start to the season,” Krejcikova said.

“It’s unbelievable, I’m here and I’ve won Wimbledon.”

It was another heartbreak for the bubbly Paolini, who had lost the Roland Garros final to Iga Swiatek a few weeks ago and was on course to become the first Italian player to win a singles title at Wimbledon.

“Sometimes I’m a little bit afraid of dreaming too much. I go back, I try to train, to stay in the present. That’s the goal for me and my team, to try to maintain this level as much as possible,” said Paolini, seeded No. 7.

“If I keep this level, I think I can have the chance to do great things. But if I don’t keep this level, nothing good will happen.

“I don’t know what I can dream of right now. Today I dreamed of winning the trophy, but it didn’t work out. I’m just enjoying the position I’m in right now, world number five.

“It’s unbelievable, honestly. I’ve just played two finals in two Grand Slam tournaments. I have to be happy with the results as well. I’m also a little disappointed,” he added.