Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic overcame Italy’s Jasmine Paolini to win the Wimbledon women’s singles title on Saturday, her second Grand Slam victory.
Krejcikova, the 31st seed, triumphed 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 to add the 2024 All England Club title to her 2021 French Open championship.
Her victory came 26 years after her coach Jana Novotna, who died of illness in 2017, won the Wimbledon championship.
“Before she passed away, she told me to go and win a Slam. I did that in Paris in 2021 but I never dreamed of winning the same trophy that Jana did,” said the 28-year-old Krejcikova, who secured the title in a nervy final service game on a third championship point.
“It’s unreal what just happened. The best day of my tennis career and the best day of my life.
“I was just telling myself to be brave. It was such a difficult match, a great final, a great competition and I’m super happy to be standing here enjoying this moment.”
Krejcikova, who will return to the top 10 following her victory, came into Wimbledon after a testing season.
A back injury and illness meant she went winless on the tour from February until June.
“I was injured and ill and didn’t have a good start to the season and now I’m Wimbledon winner. How did that happen?”
“I think nobody’s going to believe I won Wimbledon. I still can’t believe it. Two weeks ago (first round) I had a very tough match, 7-5 in the third set and I wasn’t in good shape.”
The result means seventh-seeded Paolini has lost two Grand Slam finals back-to-back after coming off second best to Iga Swiatek at the French Open last month.
“I’m a little bit sad but I try to keep smiling. I have to remember today is still a good day,” said Paolini, who had never won a grass-court match in her career until last month.
“I remember watching Wimbledon as a kid cheering for Roger Federer, so to be here now is crazy. It’s been a beautiful two weeks.”
She added: “Barbora, you played unbelievable. You play such beautiful tennis. Congrats to you and your team.”
Krejcikova set the tone at the start of the match by breaking the Italian in the opening game and backing up the advantage with a hold to love.
Paolini, the first Italian woman to reach a Wimbledon singles final, had to save two break points in the third game, but she faltered again as the composed Czech blasted into a double-break lead for 4-1.
Krejcikova had three set points in the eighth game and only needed one as Paolini sent a backhand return into the net.
In the 35-minute opener, the nervous Italian only managed four points on the Czech’s serve. Krejcikova had 10 wins to the Italian’s five.
Paolini sprinted off Centre Court for a toilet break, returning reenergized.
She had also dropped the first set in her long semi-final win over Donna Vekic, and on Saturday, she launched another second-set comeback.
Breaks in the second and eighth games levelled the final after a set in which Krejcikova made 14 unforced errors to seven for her opponent, taking her double-fault count to a tournament-high of 33.
The Czech managed just four winners in the set as she went spectacularly off the boil.
However, momentum shifted dramatically back in her favour in the decider when Paolini double-faulted to surrender a break and fall 3-4 behind.
Krejcikova held to love for 5-3 but endured a nervy conclusion, requiring three championship points and saving two break points in the 10th game to seal the title.