Barbora Krejcikova is the Wimbledon winner! 

Repeat: Barbora Krejcikova has clinched the Wimbledon title!

Once again so that it syncs in: Barbora Krejcikova is the new Wimbledon champion.

The Czech tennis star has not just done it for herself but her former mentor as well. Who would have expected her to enter the grasscourt grand slam with just seven wins this season in the singles category and clinch the title? But the 28-year-old has defied all odds and turned all heads down to do the unexpected. And soon after her victory, one of the first people she thanked was her late mentor, Jana Novotna. 

Barbora shared a close bond with Novotna. But the passing away of the former tennis player in 2017, following her brave battle with ovarian cancer, not just left a huge void in the tennis community but in the life of Krejcikova as well. But with the grand victory over a much higher-ranked Jasmine Paolini (ranked 7th as against Krejcikova’s 31), she has now paid one of the finest tributes that anyone could have asked for.

Speaking after winning the match against Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, Krejcikova said, “Coming to Jana’s house, knocking on her door, giving her the letter, I think it changed my life.” It was in 2014 when an 18-year-old Krejcikova gathered the courage to meet the former Wimbledon champion after stumbling upon an article that informed her of Novotna’s background. The young Czech, who was transitioning from junior to the professional circuit, was elated to know that she hailed from the same hometown Brno as Novotna.

Knocking at the door, Krejcikova introduced herself and expressed her desire to seek Novotna’s advice over making a career in tennis. The determination of the youngster impacted the former star who called her inside. After a while, Jana was clear that the young protege had immense talent and decided to train her. Krejcikova echoed the same on Saturday.

“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.” However, their partnership could not last long.

Novotna soon discovered her illness and had to stop coaching. But despite the illness, the former pro continued to be Krejcikova’s mentor and one of her biggest supporters. Continuing further, the Wimbledon champion shared her happiness over winning the same title as her late mentor. “I never really dreamed I would win the same trophy as Jana did in 1998.” As Barbora made the heart wrenching statements, she was lauded by the audience at the Centre Court and her rumored boyfriend Pavel Motl. This, however, is not the first time when the Wimbledon star has made such remarks.

After winning her French Open title in 2021, Krejcikova gave a similar tribute to Novotna. “She was really looking after me. And I really miss her and I just want to thank her because … because of her I’m here.” She had in fact broken down after remembering her late coach during the on-court interview after her clash with Elena Rybakina in the semifinals at the All-England Club. Crying inconsolably, she remarked, “I just miss her very much. I miss her so much.” But for Krejcikova, winning at big stages is not a new endeavor. 

Krejcikova’s impeccable record at Major finals shines brighter at Wimbledon

Barbora started the match by clearing her intentions in the first set itself. She handed a baffling defeat to Paolini. But the second set was a little wobbly for the Czech star who lost the same figure and was forced to enter into the decider set. Krejcikova, however, is a player of big events and she has once again shown why with her impressive third-set victory which also gave her the title. 

One can not challenge a healthy Krejcikova in a major final. She’s now won an astounding 12 of 13 major finals. This consists of a 2-0 record in singles, 3-0 in mixed doubles, and 7-for-1 in doubles. And then there’s the brightly shining Olympic doubles gold medal in Tokyo. While she was suffering from a back injury this season, she did not let anything come in between her and her title at SW19. 

As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see if Krejcikova can continue her momentum and win more at major tournaments.