Barbora Krejcikova Clinches Second Grand Slam Title

Barbora Krejcikova clinched her second Grand Slam singles title by overcoming Jasmine Paolini in a thrilling Wimbledon final. Krejcikova, the 2021 French Open winner, secured a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory on her third championship point. After sharing a warm embrace with Paolini, she celebrated by blowing a kiss to the sky, honoring her late friend and coach, Jana Novotna, the 1998 Wimbledon champion. Krejcikova’s victory follows Marketa Vondrousova’s 2023 win, marking consecutive Czech triumphs in Wimbledon’s women’s singles.

Climbing to the players’ box, she celebrated emotionally with her team and family. Reflecting on her journey, Krejcikova said, “It’s unbelievable, the best day of my tennis career and life.” Paolini, who had previously lost to Iga Swiatek in the French Open final, was aiming to become Italy’s first women’s singles champion at Wimbledon. Despite her second straight Grand Slam final defeat, Paolini’s performance demonstrated her significant progress over the past year, including a notable WTA Tour title win in Dubai.

Both unexpected finalists guaranteed a first-time women’s champion for the seventh consecutive Wimbledon. Krejcikova, overcoming a challenging season marked by a back injury and illness, triumphed after a tough first-round match against Veronika Kudermetova. Barbora Krejcikova, a seven-time major winner in women’s doubles and three-time mixed doubles champion, now boasts an impressive 12-1 record in Grand Slam finals. Her Wimbledon victory earns her £2.7 million in prize money.

Paolini, praised for her resilience and determination, fought valiantly, winning the second set but ultimately falling short in the final set. Despite the defeat, Paolini remained positive, reflecting on her remarkable journey and the significance of reaching the Wimbledon final, saying, “Today I am a little bit sad. I try to keep smiling because I have to remember today is still a good day. I made the final of Wimbledon.”