Barbora Krejcikova 'super proud' to join late mentor Jana Novotna as Wimbledon champion

Czech secured second career Grand Slam with 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 win over Jasmine Paoilini in women's final

Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic celebrates with the trophy after winning the Wimbledon final against Italy's Jasmine Paolini on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Reuters

Barbora Krejcikova celebrates in her box after winning the women's final. EPA

Barbora Krejcikova after her victory. AFP

Barbora Krejcikova celebrates with her friends and family. Getty Images

Runner-up Jasmine Paolini of Italy smiles with her trophy. Getty Images

Barbora Krejcikova celebrates her victory over Jasmine Paolini. PA

Barbora Krejcikova celebrates winning the final. Reuters

Barbora Krejcikova after beating Jasmine Paolini. AP

Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova celebrates with the winner's trophy. Reuters

Jasmine Paolini after losing her footing against Barbora Krejcikova. Getty Images

Jasmine Paolini of Italy reacts after slipping on court. AP

Jasmine Paolini celebrates during her match against Barbora Krejcikova. PA

Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova in action during the final. Reuters

Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic after winning a point. EPA

Barbora Krejcikova revealed her childhood dream was to win the French Open, but the newly anointed Wimbledon women's champion admits Saturday's victory on Centre Court was the best day of her life.

Three years after fulfilling her lifelong dream by winning her maiden Grand Slam at Roland Garos, the 28-year-old Czech etched her name on the Wimbledon h.onours roll, claiming the Venus Rosewater Dish with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory over Jasmine Paolini.

In doing so, she joined compatriots Petra Kvitova, Marketa Vondrousova and her late mentor Jana Novotna in winning the grasscourt slam.

"Winning any slam is great. Winning here at the Wimbledon is huge for me," said Krejcikova, who teared up when she was shown Novotna's name on the honours board earlier.

"I wouldn't really say it was like my dream when I was little. I have like a notebook that I wrote when I was 12. I don't know, maybe like three, four months ago I was looking through that notebook.

"I had there that in future ... I'd like to win the French Open ... Maybe things shifted a bit when I met Jana and when she was telling me stories about Wimbledon, grass, how difficult it was for her to win the title and how emotional she was when she actually made it.

"I think since then I started to see the Wimbledon like the biggest tournament in the world."

Novotna, who died in 2017 after a battle with cancer, had famously won the hearts of fans when she sobbed on the Duchess of Kent's shoulder during the presentation ceremony after being beaten by Steffi Graf in the 1993 final, where she threw away a 5-1 lead in the deciding set.

She was also a symbol of perseverance at Wimbledon as she had also lost the 1997 final before finally landing the title a year later.

"Very emotional moment to see me on a board right next to her," added Krejcikova, who first began working with Novotna in 2014.

"I think she would be proud. I think she would be really excited that I'm on the same board as she is because Wimbledon was super special for her.

"I think she would tell me that she is very proud about me and that she's super happy."

A teenage Krejcikova had been torn between turning professional after her junior career or going into full-time education.

"I said 'I don't know what to do right now' so could she look at me and maybe help me, guide me, tell me which direction should I go," remembered Krejcikova.

Novotna replied within a week and after that the two started to work together.

"I'm dreaming about her a lot and we are talking in those dreams," added Krejcikova.

Krejcikova went on to say that it was the best day of her life in her on-court speech and added in a press conference that she was also playing the best tennis of her career.

"Because today was very difficult, and I really had to dig deep in every aspect. Also in tennis, but also mentally," added Krejcikova.

"I'm extremely proud that I was able to do that, to hold everything together, and to just win the final."