Remember when Jana Novotna sobbed on the shoulder of the Duchess of Kent after her heartbreaking loss in the 1993 Wimbledon final? The Duchess had gently reassured her, “You will win it one day, don’t worry.” And five years later, in 1998, Jana fulfilled that prophecy, capturing her Wimbledon title in a moment of sheer triumph. Fast forward to now, and the emotional journey is strikingly similar for her protege, Barbora Krejcikova. Despite winning only seven singles matches ahead of Wimbledon this year, Krejcikova astonished everyone by clinching the title, echoing the same emotional crescendo her mentor experienced.

Barbora Krejcikova, who was seen in an emotional state during her on-court interview, failed to control her tears as soon as she walked off the court. BBC aired an emotional moment in the clubhouse which caught the Czech star crying in front of the roll of honor. With her hands covering her face, the Wimbledon champion was consoled by the tournament boss and AELTC Chair Debbie Jevans.

Commentator Clare Balding speculated that Krejcikova might be emotional remembering Jana Novotna. Informing the viewers, Balding said, “Oh gosh, well, Barbora Krejcikova having seen I think Jana Novotna’s name there with her. And Debbie Jevans who knew Jana very well, was a great friend of hers in fact, comforting Barbora because it is, in this moment, overwhelming.” This happened just moments before the traditional photography session, in which the winning player poses in front of the roll of honor. For the unversed, Novotna and Krejcikova shared a close bond before the former passed away in 2017, after battling ovarian cancer.

Krejcikova was just 18 when she first met the 1998 Wimbledon winner and sought her advice about continuing further on tennis courts and turning pro. The determination of the young prodigy made Novotna coach her in 2014. But soon, she discovered her illness and had to stop the training, however, she continued to be associated with the Czech player as a mentor. Barbora also credited Novotna after her Wimbledon win and expressed her gratitude.

Speaking about Jana, Krejcikova said, “During the period when I finished juniors, I didn’t know what I should do if I should continue and play pro if I should go the way of education. Jana was the one who told me that I had the potential, & I should definitely turn pro & try to make it.” It was not the first time the Czech star was overwhelmed while touching upon what Novotna did for her. After her semifinal clash against Elena Rybakina, Krejcikova resonated with similar sentiments. She had to turn away from the microphone as she could not control her tears.

With the Wimbledon glory, Krejcikova proved how good a mentee she was, as she fulfilled Novotna’s desire for the second time.

When Jana Novotna expressed her desire to Barbora Krejcikova before passing away

For any mentor, the success of their student lies above everything. For Jana Novotna, the scenario was no different. A Grand Slam winner herself, Novotna always wanted her determined protege to emulate her and win big in the professional tennis circuit. Krejcikova revealed that herself on Saturday. Speaking after winning the Wimbledon title, the 28-year-old said “Before she passed away, she told me to go and win a Slam and I mean.”

While Krejcikova fulfilled this dream in 2021, she explained the importance of the Wimbledon title to her. “I achieved that already in Paris in 2021 and it was an unbelievable moment for me and I never dreamed that I would win the same trophy as Jana did in 1998.”

Krejcikova has now set a mark for many budding tennis players. The bond she shared with her late mentor will surely resonate in the tennis corridors for decades and will be etched atop the glorious history of the sport.