What do Czech women have to do with Wimbledon? Barbora Krejčiková becomes the third player from the country of 10.6 million to win the women’s singles title in the past decade, joining Petra Krejčiková in 2014 Petra Kvitová and Markéta Vondroušová last year. And, with a more personal resonance for Krejčiková, she also joined the 1998 Wimbledon champion Jana Novotná from the same city of Brno, who became Krejčiková’s mentor and coach until Died of cancer in 2017 at the age of 49.
World No. 32 Krejcikova defeated seventh-seeded Jasmine Paolini of Italy 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 in just over two hours. Later, in court, she was asked what the people of her homeland thought of her victory. “Well, I don’t think anyone really believes that,” she replied, eliciting a burst of laughter from the Center Court stands. “No one believed I made it to the final. No one believed I won Wimbledon. I still can’t believe it – it’s unbelievable!
In Novotna, 28-year-old Krejčiková recalled movingly the time when she was 18 and went to her house with a letter asking for help. “Everything that happened in that moment changed my life,” she said. “Jana told me I had potential. Before she passed away, she told me to win a Grand Slam… I never dreamed I would win the same trophy as Jana did in 1998.
All England Club president Debbie Jevons presented Krejcikova with a Venus rosewater dish. On a warm, misty afternoon, there were many tennis stars in attendance (Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Sue Barker, etc.), but in recent years a regular presence at Wimbledon The Princess of Wales, who was at the Tennis Open but Jevons was absent, stepped in “at her request”.
It was a strange, sometimes exciting, sometimes tense, chaotic tennis match. Krejcikova, the slightly favored newcomer, played a flawless first set: her game, which the BBC’s John McEnroe called “a perfect grass game,” would be precise. A combination of great serves, hard-hitting forehands and clever slices. Paolini, always a cheerful personality, was clearly popular with the audience, but he didn’t smile. screams”hurry up!” – Czech “Come on!” — echoed around a shocked Center Court.
But the 5-foot-4, energetic Paolini was tenacious, and after a bathroom break to regain her strength, she came back with a vengeance. She began dictating points, threatening with a forehand. The noise in the court grew louder and louder, and even her walk changed: she began strutting and bouncing around the court. Now the cry is “Forza!”“
After the second set, Krejcikova disappeared as she regained her strength – no doubt hoping Paolini would tighten up. The third set was the first time both players performed well at the same time, but Paolini’s double fault at 3-3 gave Krejcikova the advantage, and the Czech almost plucked up the courage to win on the third match point.
Krejčiková, a fan of embroidery and Lego off the court and known for keeping a low profile, climbed into the stands to hug a bear with her team in celebration.
Meanwhile, Sunday afternoon’s men’s final will feature two familiar faces: Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. The match was a repeat of last year’s pinnacle match, when 20-year-old Spaniard Alcaraz won in five brilliant sets.
Newsletter Promotion Post
This time, the seemingly indestructible Djokovic, 37, will be seeking to win his 25th Grand Slam title and his eighth Wimbledon title, tying Roger Federer’s record. There will be a strong – and previously heretical – argument that Djokovic can be regarded as the greatest grass-court player of all time.
As exciting as the rematch is, there’s no escaping the fact that this isn’t the only game on Sunday. Alcaraz was well-meaningly booed on Friday at Center Court when he joked about Spain beating England in the Euro 2024 final. He later said it would be a “perfect Sunday” if he and his national football team could win the double.
Djokovic, who has been combative with fans at this year’s Wimbledon, may find himself receiving unexpected support against Alcaraz. “I’m not sure if I’m going to break his heart,” Djokovic said. “I’m not going to do that.”
