Barbora Krejcikova with probably the most emotional day in her tennis career. © APA/afp / BEN STANSALL

“We can’t get more emotional than this”

On the "best day" of her life, the new Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova was brought to tears when she thought of the deceased Jana Novotna. The 28-year-old reacted calmly, swallowing hard, on Centre Court when she was asked about her former mentor. When she stood in front of the winners' board away from the main stage, her emotions overwhelmed her.

July 14, 2024

From: cst/dpa

Novotna is recorded as the champion of the popular tennis tournament in 1998; she died of cancer in November 2017 at the age of just 49. 26 years after her former coach, Krejcikova is the winner - and wipes away her tears.

"The only thing that went through my mind was that I miss Jana very much. It was just very, very emotional to see myself on a board right next to her," the Czech said of the moment when she was 6:2, 2:6, 6:4 against Italian Jasmine Paolini once again answered questions.

"She would be proud." Barbora Krejcikova about her mentor Jana Novotna

Without Novotna, she might not be a two-time Grand Slam winner. "She would be proud," said Krejcikova. Before she died, Novotna told her to go and win a Grand Slam tournament. She never believed that she would win Wimbledon like her. She was so far away from it. "We couldn't get any more emotional," commented Boris Becker.

Final day will be “the best day of my life”

When Krejcikova had completed her triumph in the final against Paolini after a dominant start and a shaky match at the end, she looked up to the sky and blew a kiss. She had served outstandingly and played tactically cleverly in a final with unexpected twists and turns.

It's done: Barbora Krejcikova has won Wimbledon. © ANSA / ADAM VAUGHAN

"It is definitely the best day of my tennis career," she stammered, "and also the best day of my life." No one in her home country will believe her: "No one will believe that I made it to the final and no one will believe that I won Wimbledon." She was not really in shape after her back injury and illness. "Now I am standing here and I am the Wimbledon winner."