Krejcikova: “I never imagined that in four weeks I could reach a Wimbledon final”
Barbora Krejcikova opens up about the difficult period she has been going through on tour, and what it means to reach her second Major final.
Chryslene Caillaud / Panoramic
Barbora Krejcikova defeated 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina on Thursday (3-6 6-3 6-4) to reach her second major final, her first at SW19. The Czech has struggled with form in 2024, claiming just three victories on the WTA Tour between the Australian Open in January and her first match at Wimbledon.
The 2021 Roland Garros winner open up about this difficult period on tour:
“I mean, during the season it was very difficult. I have had many difficult periods. I mean, I never really imagined that in, yeah, four weeks I could reach a Wimbledon final, that I can be a different player.
But I’m super happy that I am, that I was able to fight through everything, that I’m sitting here and chatting with you guys today.”
I have had many difficult periods. I mean, I never really imagined that in, yeah, four weeks I could reach a Wimbledon final, that I can be a different player.
Barbora Krejcikova reflecting on her form in 2024
The Czech also reflected on her country’s history with women’s tennis, and the players that she looked up to as she was growing up and progressing as a player herself:
“There have been so many. Petra Kvitova playing, Safarova, playing. Hradecka, Bara Strycova. We had so many players. I mean, I grew up watching Fed Cup being in O2 Arena and Prague in Czech Republic, watching many finals. Everybody that was on the team was a player that I was kind of like looking up to.
After my juniors career, it was a lot about Jana [Novotná] because I had an opportunity to meet her and to spend time with her and see, like, how she behaves, who she is, how such a big champion she is.”
On Saturday, Krejcikova will face the Roland Garros runner-up and World #7 Jasmine Paolini, who defeated Donna Vekic (3-6, 6-4, 7-6) in a thrilling two hour and 51 minute battle.
