Barbora Krejčíková: Czech Tennis Star Makes It To First Wimbledon Final

Barbora Krejčíková is savouring her career's first Wimbledon finals qualification. The Czech tennis star defeated Kazakhistan's Elena Rybakina, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on July 11 to swerve her way into the finale of one of the sport's grandest stages. The World No. 32 will now face Italy's Jasmine Paolini, the seventh seed, on July 13. "It’s unbelievable! It’s a lot of joy, a lot of emotions, a lot of relief. I’m super proud of my game and my fighting spirit today," Krejčíková expressed. 

Who Is Barbora Krejčíková?

Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejčíková was born on December 18, 1995, in Brno, Czech Republic. Her highest career ranking is World No. 2, achieved on 28 February 2022, and doubles World No. 1 on 22 October 2018. She started playing tennis when she was just six years old and by October 2013, she was ranked junior World No. 3. 

In 2013, Krejčíková won the girls' doubles titles at the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, playing alongside Kateřina Siniaková. She has also won the European Junior Championship U18 in singles and doubles. In 2014, she started coaching under the former Czech Wimbledon champion Jana Novotná. 

As she graduated from the juniors category, Krejčíková played the first singles final of a WTA (Women's Tennis Association) 1000 tournament at the Dubai Championships in March 2021 when she lost to Garbiñe Muguruza. However, Krejčíková quickly respawned as she won her first WTA singles title at Strasbourg in May 2021.

So refreshing to see the joy of Barbora Krejcikova getting to Wimbledon’s SF. She belongs in the top of the game. What a well rounded player with such a sweet personality. Loved seeing her showing how much it means to her. #Wimbledon

— Edu Ribas (@ribasmedu) July 10, 2024

A day after the Strasbourg victory, she clinched the Grand Slam title at the 2021 French Open, climbing up to singles World No. 15. She reached a singles ranking of World No. 2 when she qualified for the finals of the 2022 Australian Open. In August 2021, Krejcikova and Siniaková won gold for women's doubles at the Tokyo Olympics.

In 2022, after recovering from an injury, she won two more singles titles at Tallinn and Ostrava. In 2023, Krejčíková defeated four top-10 opponents, including the World No. 1, 2, and 3, to clinch her maiden WTA 1000 title in singles at the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships. She has also won 14 singles titles on the ITF Circuit.