Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Barbora Krejcikova overpowered Jasmine Paolini 6-2 2-6 6-4 in a thrilling Wimbledon women’s singles final, securing her second Grand Slam singles title.
The 31st seed mirrored the success of 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova, making it two consecutive wins for the Czech Republic in women’s singles.
Krejcikova, who previously won the 2021 French Open, celebrated her victory on her third championship point by raising her arms in triumph.
ALSO READ:
- Favourite Ons Jabeur loses to unseeded Vondrousova in Wimbledon final
- Carlos Alcaraz produces stunning comeback to beat Novak Djokovic in classic Wimbledon final
- WTA star Petra Kvitova marries boyfriend and coach Jiri Vanek in Prague
- Lamine Yamal @ 17: The football prodigy breaking records and making history
- Watkins’ heroics send England to Euro 2024 final as Spain awaits
After the match, she embraced Paolini at the net, acknowledged the cheering crowd, and blew a kiss to the sky. Overcome with emotion, Krejcikova burst into tears as she left Centre Court, clutching the coveted trophy.
“It’s unreal what just happened. It’s the best day of my tennis career and the best day of my life,” Krejcikova said after her win. She follows the footsteps of her late friend and coach Jana Novotna. Krejcikova’s hero won Wimbledon in 1998 and passed away from ovarian cancer in 2017.
“It’s unbelievable”
In a celebratory mood, Krejcikova climbed to the players’ box to share the moment with her family and team, many of whom were moved to tears.
Interestingly,Wimbledon has now seen a first-time women’s champion for the seventh consecutive year. Krejcikova’s season, however, had been challenging due to illness and a back injury.
She had only won three out of nine singles matches between the end of January’s Australian Open and this month’s Championships. Remarkably, she has won seven matches in the past two weeks.
Reflecting on her journey, Krejcikova said, “Two weeks ago [in the first round against Veronika Kudermetova] I had a very tough match, and I wasn’t in good shape before that because I was injured and ill.
“I didn’t really have a good beginning to the season. It’s unbelievable I’m stood here now and I’ve won Wimbledon. I have no idea [how it happened].”
Paolini falls at the final hurdle again
For Jasmine Paolini, the defeat marked her second consecutive Grand Slam final loss. The 28-year-old Italian had previously lost to Iga Swiatek in straight sets during June’s French Open final.
Paolini was aiming to become Italy’s first-ever women’s singles champion at Wimbledon.
Tags: Jasmine Paolini, Barbora Krejcikova, #Wimbledon, women’s singles final, Wimbledon, #nrtcnews, #nrtcnewsnigeria, #nrtcsports, #NewsRoundTheClock, Jana Novotna.
