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2 months ago
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Newly-crowned Wimbledon women's singles champion Barbora Krejcikova broke down in tears during a touching and emotional behind the scenes at the club.
The 28-year-old produced a stunning Wimbledon performance as she battled back from losing the second set against Jasmine Paolini to claim the Grand Slam title.
Victory handed the Czechia international a second major title after previously winning the French Open three years ago, but it was an emotional victory for one special reason.
Her former mentor was ex-Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna who decided to take on the role when a then 18-year-old Krejcikova hand-delivered a latter to her asking for help.
1998 Wimbledon champion Novotna agreed and a special relationship was born that culminated in Krejcikova becoming one of the world's best women's players and lifting the top Wimbledon honour on Saturday.
Newly-crowned Wimbledon women's singles champion Barbora Krejcikova broke down in tears during a touching moment at the club
Krejcikova weaps as the name of her former mentor Jana Novotna is spotted on the women's champions board at Wimbledon
Unfortunately it was also a moment of remembrance for the women's ace after Novotna previously passed away following a battle with ovarian cancer in 2017 aged just 49.
One of the typical processions for a Wimbledon champion is to have their picture taken infront of the board bearing the name of past victors as they join the esteemed company. But it all proved too much for Krejcikova as she read the inscription of her former mentor.
Taken deep inside the inner workins of the All England Club in the aftermath of victory, Krejcikova broke down in tears as tennis icon Debbie Jevans pointed out Novotna's name.
Taking a moment to calm herself and wipe away the tears before posing for a celebration snap, the women's champion comically quipped: 'This is once in a lifetime… like, I wanna look good!'.
She eventually did manage to take the iconic picture as her name was etched alongside the past women's champions at SW19 including Novotna.
Barbora Krejcikova was crying while trying to take the traditional photo in front of all the champion’s names at Wimbledon
*Debbie Jevans points to Jana Novotna’s name, Barbora’s mentor who passed away*
*They’re about to take photos and Barbora starts to cry*.
“This is once… pic.twitter.com/pDQ137b77K
Ex-Wimbledon winner Novotna previously passed away following a battle with ovarian cancer in 2017 aged just 49
Speaking on Centre Court following her victory, Krejcikova beamed as she labelled it the 'best day of her life'.
‘Knocking on Jana’s door, giving her a letter, it changed my life,’ said Krejcikova after beating fellow first-time Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.
‘After I finished juniors I didn’t know if I should go pro or go the way of education. Jana was the one who told me I had the potential.
‘I never dreamed I would win the same trophy as Jana did in 1998. This is the best day of my life.’
English (US)