Krejcikova, the sensation winner, fights in Wimbledon with tears
Ten Years Later, the Letter from Jana Novotna Changed Barbora Krejcikova's Tennis Life, She Wins Wimbledon
Ten years after a letter from Jana Novotna changed her tennis life, Barbora Krejcikova wins Wimbledon, the most prestigious tennis tournament. The former rival of Steffi Graf had a great influence on her. In the biggest moment of her career, she can only think of the 2017 deceased icon.
On the "best day" of her life, Barbora Krejcikova is brought to tears by the thought of the late Jana Novotna. She reacts calmly on Centre Court when asked about her former mentor. Off-court, before the winner's podium, she finally gives in to her feelings.
For 1998, Novotna is remembered as the champion of the popular tennis tournament, she died in November 2017 from cancer at the age of 49. Twenty-six years after her former coach, Krejcikova is the winner - and wipes away her tears. "The only thing going through my head was that I really missed Jana. It was simply very, very emotional, seeing myself on a table right next to her," the Czech explained about this moment, two hours after her 6:2, 2:6, 6:4 victory against the Italian Jasmine Paolini.
She also gave a personal insight into how much she values the relationship with her former rival of Steffi Graf. "I dream of her often," she revealed: "And we talk in my dreams."
Novotna Changed her Life
Without Novotna, she might not be a two-time Grand Slam winner. Knocking on Novotna's door changed her tennis life, Krejcikova said. In 2014, the then 18-year-old from Brno wrote Novotna a letter that her junior career had ended and she didn't know what to do. About a week later, they met for the first time. Novotna believed in her potential.
"She would be proud," Krejcikova said. Before she died, Novotna had told her, "Go and win a Grand Slam tournament." She had never believed she would win Wimbledon like that. She was so far removed from it. "We can't be any more emotional," Boris Becker commented during X.
In 2021, Krejcikova triumphed in the French Open both in singles and doubles. With Laura Siegemund as her partner since this season, she collected a total of seven Grand Slam titles, three more in mixed. The successes in doubles are always overshadowed by those in singles.
"The Best Day of my Tennis Career... of my Life"
When Krejcikova, in the final against Paolini, had made a dominant start and a shaky end to her triumph perfect, she looked up to the sky and raised a fist. She had played exceptionally well in the final with unexpected twists and tactically smartly.
"Definitely the best day of my tennis career... of my life," she stammered, "no one in my hometown will believe: 'No one will believe I made it to the final and no one will believe I won Wimbledon.'" She was not in good form after her back injury and illness. "But here I am, the Wimbledon champion."
With about twelve years, she had noted the French Open as her dream in her notebook. She had turned the page on Wimbledon in her conversations with Novotna and all the Wimbledon stories she told. Unforgettable in the tennis world is the moment from 1993, when Novotna is comforted by the Duchess of Kent after a final loss against Steffi Graf.
I believe, since then I see Wimbledon as the biggest tournament in the world, said Krejcikova in her interviews. It feels "fantastic" in reality to be the winner, she answered, laughed and raised her arms in the press conference. "Winning a Grand Slam is fantastic. Winning here at Wimbledon is huge."
After receiving guidance from the late Jana Novotna, Barbora Krejcikova's tennis career soared, culminating in her triumph at Wimbledon, the tennis world's most prestigious tournament. Overcome with emotion, Krejcikova recalls Novotna in her moment of victory.
The connection between Krejcikova and Novotna was pivotal, as the former champion's influence shaped Krejcikova's tennis journey. Novotna, believing in Krejcikova's potential, encouraged her in 2014, leading to significant successes in her career.
