- Barbora Krejcikova couldn’t contain her emotions during a touching moment at SW19
- The newly crowned Wimbledon women’s champion defeated Jasmine Paolini
- Krejcikova burst into tears when remembering her late mentor Jana Novotna
Newly crowned Wimbledon women’s singles champion Barbora Krejcikova burst into tears during a moving and emotional behind-the-scenes look at the club.
The 28-year-old produced a stunning performance at Wimbledon, battling back from a second-set loss to Jasmine Paolini to win the Grand Slam title.
The victory was the Czech international’s second major title, having won Roland Garros three years ago. However, it was an emotional victory for one special reason.
Her former mentor was former Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna, who decided to take on the role when the then 18-year-old Krejcikova personally handed her a note asking for help.
The 1998 Wimbledon champion, Novotna, agreed and a special relationship was formed that led to Krejcikova becoming one of the world’s top players and winning Wimbledon’s top honour on Saturday.
Newly crowned Wimbledon women’s singles champion Barbora Krejcikova burst into tears during a touching moment at the club
Krejcikova cries as her former mentor Jana Novotna’s name appears on the Wimbledon women’s championship board
Sadly, it was also a moment of remembrance for the female ace, after Novotna passed away in 2017 at the age of 49 due to ovarian cancer.
One of the typical parades for a Wimbledon champion is to have their photo taken in front of the board bearing the names of past winners, as they join the esteemed company. But it all proved too much for Krejcikova when she read the inscription from her former mentor.
Krejcikova was left in awe at the All England Club after the victory and burst into tears when tennis legend Debbie Jevans mentioned Novotna’s name.
Taking a moment to calm down and wipe away her tears before posing for a victory photo, the female champion comically joked: ‘This is a once in a lifetime… I want to look good!’.
Eventually she managed to capture the iconic photo as her name was listed among the previous female champions at SW19, including Novotna.
Former Wimbledon winner Novotna died earlier in 2017 at the age of 49 from ovarian cancer.
Krejcikova beamed as she spoke after her Centre Court victory, calling it “the best day of her life”.
“When I knocked on Jana’s door and gave her a letter, my life changed,” Krejcikova said after beating fellow Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.
‘After I finished juniors I didn’t know whether to go pro or go the educational route. Jana was the one who told me I had the potential.
‘I never thought I would win the same trophy as Jana in 1998. This is the best day of my life.’