Barbora Krejcikova paid tribute to her former coach Jana Novotna after she reached the Wimbledon final with a three-sets victory over Elena Rybakina
For the first 10 days of this year’s tournament, it felt as if the name of Elena Rybakina would be engraved on the women’s singles trophy for the second time in three years. The Kazakh had rolled into the semis for the loss of just one set and looked for all the world as if she would add the title to the one she claimed so brilliantly in 2022. But the Czech Barbora Krejcikova had other ideas.
“Couple of years ago I was working with Jana Novotna, she won it here in 1998. At that point she was telling me a lot of stories about her journeys here and how she was trying to win Wimbledon. I was so far when we had this talk and now I’m here and wow, I’m in the final,” said Krejcikova, pausing to gather herself. “I have so many beautiful memories and when I step on the court here I’m just fighting for every single ball because I’m sure that’s what she would want me to do. I miss her so much.
At 2-2, 30-40 in the second set, Rybakina had the chance to break and take a stranglehold on the match, but it’s amazing how a head-to-head record can play games with the mind of even the best players. Krejcikova had won both their previous meetings and even if the most recent was two years ago, its impact should not be underestimated. Krejcikova saved herself with an ace, held serve and the match turned.
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