Barbora Krejcikova wins Wimbledon, breaks down in tears
Barbora Krejcikova has won the 2024 Wimbledon title, with the Czech star breaking down in emotional scenes.
Tennis
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Czech world No. 32 Barbora Krejcikova has won her second career grand slam title in a stunning 6-2 2-6 6-4 win over Italian Jasmine Paolini.
Krejcikova, who previously won the 2021 French Open title and has won two doubles titles at Wimbledon in 2018 and 2022, added to her trophy cabinet.
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Krejcikova settled into the match with a break in the opening game of the match, before racing away to 5-1 and wrapping up the first set in quick time.
But it was never going to be that easy as Paolini bounced back, reversing the score in the second.
The match appeared destined to go down to the wire but — at 3-3 and 30-40 in the third set — Paolini made a horror error, serving the first double fault of the match to go down a break.
Both women held, meaning Krejcikova had to serve out the match to claim the title.
The Czech star claimed the first two points, before a double fault and two unforced errors that went too deep on the baseline handed Paolini a break point.
On the BBC coverage, 2021 Wimbledon champion Ash Barty said: “It becomes so real, the closer you can get.”
But Krejcikova hit back, sending the game to deuce and Championship point.
The is no quit in Paolini though, forcing another error before claiming a huge winner.
It was only a matter of time however, with Krejcikova finding some big serves with a desperate return flying well wide as the Czech 28-year-old claimed the title.
“I don’t have any words right now, it’s unreal what just happened,” Krejcikova said.
“It’s definitely the best day of my tennis career, and the best day of my life.”
Dating back to 1927, as the 31st seed, Krejcikova was the second lowest seeded player to win the Wimbledon title, after last year Marketa Vondrousova won the title despite being unseeded.
Action Network’s Evan Abrams posted that Krejcikova’s pre-tournament odds of 125-1 were the longest odds for a men’s or women’s Wimbledon champion in the past 50 years.
Not only that, she was injured, having needed two months recovery from a back injury, sick weeks out from Wimbledon and had a three-hour round one match against Veronika Kudermetova.
Asked how her hometown would react to her victory: “I think nobody would really believe it.
“I think nobody believes I got to the final, and I think nobody’s going to believe that I won Wimbledon.
“I still cannot believe it, it’s unbelievable.”
Krejcikova was also asked about her mentor and 1998 Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna, who died of cancer in 2017 at the age of 49.
The 28-year-old took a moment to speak after the win.
“I think going to Jana, knocking on her door, giving her the letter, everything that happened during that moment, I think it changed my life,” she said.
“It definitely changed my tennis life because when I finished Juniors, I didn’t know what I should do whether I should go pro or go the way of education. Jana was the one who told me I had the potential and that I should definitely go pro and try to make it.
“Before she passed away, she told me to go and win a slam and I achieved that in Paris in 2021 and it was a lovely moment for me and I never dreamed of that I would win the same trophy as Jana did in 1998.”
While Krejcikova kept her emotions in check during her interview, she broken down when looking at the honour board.
Tennis social media creator Bastien Fachan tweeted that Wimbledon chairwoman Debbie Jevans had pointed “to the name of her late mentor Jana Novotna on the Wimbledon wall of champions”, which saw “Krejcikova break down in tears”.
Talking Tennis on X wrote: “Barbora Krejcikova super emotional backstage, as she sees her name join the roll of honour, along with so many legends of the sport, but most poignantly, alongside the late Jana Novotna, her compatriot and mentor.”
Another fan commented: “From Jana Novotna in 1998 to Barbora Krejcikova in 2024. What a story we’ve just witnessed.”
Another commented: “She’s making me cry, too. It’s hard to hear Novotna name and that win in 1998 after coming so close and losing . She was a wonderful human being and player.”
A third posted: “Barbora Krejčíková’s heartfelt tribute to Jana Novotná is truly touching. It’s beautiful to see how Jana’s legacy continues to inspire and shape the future of tennis. Congratulations, Barbora, on this incredible achievement!”
It was a tough loss for the world No. 7 Paolini, who was a finalist at the French Open as well, before losing in straight sets to world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
But it wasn’t to be Paolini, who became the first Italian woman to make the final at the All-England Club, having entered the 2024 tournament having never won a match in the main draw of Wimbledon.
Fans were rocked as the double fault seemingly cost Paolini the match.
iPaperSport’s James Gray posted: “Brutal for Jasmine Paolini to lose two grand slam finals in six weeks - must particularly hurt to throw in her only double-fault of the match at break point in the third set.”
One fan wrote: “This should have been a match tiebreaker no breaks in the 3rd. One crack cost Jasmine.”
Another commented: “That Paolini double fault gonna give me sleepless nights.”
A third wrote: “Gutted for Jasmine Paolini with that double fault that lost her game, to give the break.”
Another said: “Broken-hearted for Paolini. This match was so close. Literally decided by a double fault, damn.”
Krejcikova will rise to world No. 10 after the result, while Paolini will move inside the top five for the first time in her career.
Aussie champion Ash Barty hoped Paolini would continue her rapid rise — having never reached past the second round in a grand slam before this year.
“She’s brought the spark, the life,” Barty said. “She has so much to be proud of. What an exceptional couple of months for Jasmine Paolini. I know she’s disappointed now but the energy and electricity that she’s broguth to the women’s game has been nothing short of outstanding.”
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