Tennis-Krejcikova relishing return as Wimbledon champion despite injury scare
FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Eastbourne Open - Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club, Eastbourne, Britain - June 25, 2025 Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova in action during her round of 16 match against Britain's Jodie Burrage Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File Photo
LONDON (Reuters) -Defending Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova will step into the All England Club this week carrying both the weight of expectation and a lingering injury concern, yet the Czech appears utterly unfazed by either.
Days after withdrawing from the Eastbourne Open with a thigh injury, Krejcikova seemed calmly assured for someone who defied the odds at Wimbledon last year when she stunned Grand Slam champions en route to the title as the 31st seed.
Krejcikova has had limited preparation after a back injury sidelined her for six months, playing six matches since her return in May.
"It's definitely not difficult (returning as defending champion). It's actually very, very nice to be here and very nice to play, even after all the time I was out," Krejcikova told reporters on Sunday.
"So I'm enjoying it, I'm happy to be here. I find it tough, complicated, but I don't find it difficult. I'm very much looking forward to play on Tuesday.
"It's basically a new tournament, even though I won it last year and I have great memories for this one. I want to come here and do well again. The preparation is the same, I've been working really hard to come back and to enjoy this position."
Krejcikova's first-round opponent is Alexandra Eala, the 20-year-old Filipino who announced herself by stunning Iga Swiatek to reach the semi-finals at the Miami Open in March before reaching the Eastbourne final.
"I don't really know that much about her yet because she's obviously a young player, an upcoming player and one of the players of the new generation," Krejcikova said.
"But I saw some rallies, I saw some matches. I know that she was doing quite well in the first half of the year, so I'm looking forward. It's going to be a great matchup. I'm looking forward to playing her to see where the young generation is."
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru;Editing by Christian Radnedge)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
29 minutes ago
- The Star
Tennis-British qualifier Tarvet enjoys dream Wimbledon debut
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - June 30, 2025 Britain's Oliver Tarvet celebrates after winning his first round match against Switzerland's Leandro Riedi REUTERS/Isabel Infantes LONDON (Reuters) -British qualifier Oliver Tarvet enjoyed a dream Wimbledon debut with a 6-4 6-4 6-4 victory over Switzerland's Leandro Riedi and things could get even better for the 21-year-old with a likely Centre Court clash against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz next. Tarvet, who came through three rounds of qualifying, thrilled a packed crown around Court Four with a majestic display to outclass fellow-qualifier Riedi. Second-round losers are guaranteed 99,000 pounds ($135,000)in prize money, but because Tarvet is still a student at the University of San Diego he will miss out on a potentially career-changing windfall. Because of his amateur status, the world number 719 will be entitled to only $10,000 plus any expenses he incurs. Although that will hurt in the short term, such was the quality of Tarvet's game that he looked destined for a rapid rise in the rankings and he will likely turn professional after his final year of study in California. Tarvet was the only British player to survive the qualifying tournament, joining 22 other home players in the singles draws, 14 of them wildcards. ($1 = 0.7308 pounds) (Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Ed Osmond)
New Straits Times
34 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Tearful Jabeur forced to retire from Wimbledon first-round clash
LONDON: Two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur broke down in tears before retiring from her first-round match against Viktoriya Tomova on Monday. Tunisia's Jabeur was trailing 7-6 (7/5), 2-0 when she brought a premature end to her clash with the Bulgarian world number 111 at the All England Club. The 30-year-old, beaten in the 2022 and 2023 Wimbledon finals, looked uncomfortable throughout the match in sweltering temperatures in London. The world number 59 wiped away tears after losing a long fifth game in the first set and took a lengthy medical timeout, with staff attending to her before taking her off court. Jabeur, who repeatedly used ice towels in a bid to cope with the heat, eventually returned to Court 14 after a 14-minute delay, but was unable to finish the match. "I wasn't expecting not to feel good. I have been practising pretty well the last few days," said Jabeur, who did not specify the reason for her withdrawal. "These things happen. I'm pretty sad. It doesn't really help me with my confidence." The former world number two's Wimbledon exit was the latest blow in a disappointing spell. Jabeur, a three-time Grand Slam runner-up, has slipped down the rankings over the past year after injury problems. Earlier this year she had breathing difficulties in the Australian Open second round after suffering an asthma problem. "I keep pushing myself even though it was a very tough season for me, so I hope I can feel better and see what is going to happen," she said. "Try to disconnect a little bit from tennis and try to enjoy life outside tennis. "Try to recover and spend time with the family. Hopefully that can recharge me. Definitely rest is the word for it."
The Sun
34 minutes ago
- The Sun
Wimbledon ‘ready' for soaring temperatures
WIMBLEDON chief executive Sally Bolton said the Grand Slam was not used to baking summer temperatures but 'we're absolutely ready for it' as the mercury soared in London on Monday. Temperatures on the first day of the Championships are expected to climb to at least 33 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit). Wimbledon, often plagued by cool, damp weather, has a heat rule that it is ready to activate to safeguard the health of the players. It is based on a heat stress index that takes into account a number of factors including air temperature, humidity and the surface temperature. 'The obvious point to make is that the athletes compete in temperatures like this all year on the tour so for us Brits here at the championships it feels very hot,' said Bolton. 'We do have the heat rule available to us which again is well used on the tour so we will be taking heat stress monitor readings.' Heat stress monitor readings are taken 30 minutes before the start of play and then at 1400 (1300 GMT) and 1700. The heat rule allows a 10-minute break to be taken between the second and third sets for women's matches and between the third and fourth sets for men's matches matches, when the heat stress index is at or above 30.1 degrees Celsius. 'It's a well-tested rule but I appreciate not here at the Championships so often,' said Bolton. 'But we've got that ready to put in place'. The chief executive of the All England Club said there were also protocols in place to look after ball-boys and ball-girls on court, who have access to cooling scarves. Bolton urged fans to keep an eye on those around them. 'We've got a really significantly sized medical team here so we've got people here to help if that's needed,' she said. 'We're not used to these sort of temperatures but we're absolutely ready for it and actually delighted that it's sunny and not wet like it was last year.' Fourth seed Jack Draper, who has previously struggled with the heat, said at his pre-tournament press conference that he had not taken special measures to prepare. 'Obviously it's something that all players struggle with in their way. It's just how you deal with it,' he said. 'I think in the past I haven't dealt with it incredibly well. So I have got my mechanisms on how I'm going to do that. It suits my game it being a bit hotter anyway. So that's the way I see it.' With thousands of people in the queue for tickets on Monday the All England Club is advising people not to travel. 'Please be aware that the queue for Day 1 -- Monday 30th June -- is very busy and to avoid disappointment we strongly advise you not to travel to the grounds today,' Wimbledon said in a statement.
