Barbora Krejcikova Clinches Wimbledon Title Mentored by Tennis Champion Jana Novotna

At the age of 18, Barbora Krejcikova faced the pivotal decision of whether to pursue a professional tennis career or explore an alternate path. Seeking guidance, she penned a letter to her idol, 1998 Wimbledon champion, Jana Novotna, which marked the beginning of a mentorship that lasted until Novotna’s passing in 2017.

Krejcikova, now a two-time Grand Slam champion, clinched the Wimbledon title with a hard-fought 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory over Jasmine Paolini in the final at the revered All England Club. The emotional significance of her triumph was heightened as Krejcikova had the chance to see Novotna’s name enshrined alongside hers on the list of Wimbledon champions.

Despite overcoming a back injury and illness earlier in the season, Krejcikova entered the grass-court major with a shaky 7-9 record for 2024, casting doubts on her chances. Seeded seventh, Krejcikova’s path to the final saw her triumph over the unseeded Paolini, who had reached both the Roland Garros and Wimbledon finals in a single season, a feat last accomplished by Serena Williams in 2016.

The final matchup was a seesaw battle, culminating in a tense final game that took 14 points to decide, with Krejcikova ultimately prevailing on her third match point. The Wimbledon victory marked Krejcikova’s eighth triumph by a woman in the past eight editions of the event, following in the footsteps of her compatriot and last year’s champion, Iga Swiatek.

Reflecting on her win, Krejcikova spoke fondly of Novotna’s influence on her career and life, recounting how the late champion frequently appears in her dreams, acting as a guiding presence. The Czech player’s heartfelt tribute to Novotna during the trophy ceremony underscored the depth of their mentor-protege connection, a relationship that transcended tennis.

In a post-match interview, Krejcikova revealed that conversations with Novotna still play a significant role in her journey, with the champion herself curious about what wisdom her mentor would impart now that they share the Wimbledon champion accolade.