Barbora Krejcikova scripts history with Wimbledon triumph, becomes player with longest listed odds for ladies or men’s champion at SW19 in 50 years

Barbora Krejcikova's maiden Wimbledon triumph has turned out historic as the Czech's pre-tournament odds were the longest-listed odds for any champion at SW19 in the last 50 years. In the final on Saturday (July 13), she defeated Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 in an hour and 56 minutes to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish.

Krejcikova hadn't enjoyed much success in the 2024 season and came into Wimbledon without having found her rhythm. She played the Rothesay Classic to kick off her grass swing where she lost in the quarterfinals. Following this, she faced a disappointing first-round exit at the Rothesay International.

The 28-year-old began her Wimbledon campaign with a three-set thriller against Veronika Kudermatova and another hard-fought win against Katie Voleynets. She received a walkover against Jessica Bouzas in the third round, after which she ousted 11th seed Danielle Collins, 13th seed Jelena Ostapenko, and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina to reach the final.

Barbora Krejcikova defeated Paolini in a thrilling three-setter to win her first Grand Slam singles title after the 2021 French Open. She joined an illustrious list of Czech women who have lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish, including Marketa Vondrousova, Petra Kvitova, and Krejcikova's idol and former coach, the late Jana Novotna.

According to BetMGM, Barbora Krejcikova was +12500 to win before Wimbledon began. Her 125-1 pre-tournament odds are the longest-listed odds for a Wimbledon champion (men or women) in the last 50 years.

"I think nobody's going to believe that I won Wimbledon, I still cannot believe it" - Barbora Krejcikova on her triumph

Barbora Krejcikova celebrates her Wimbledon triumph (image source: GETTY)

During the trophy presentation, Barbora Krejcikova was asked what her win meant for her people back in the Czech Republic. She jokingly responded that no one would believe she won Wimbledon, leaving the spectators in splits.

“Well, I think that I think nobody really believes it. I think nobody believes that I got to the final and I think nobody's going to believe that I won Wimbledon. I mean, I still cannot believe it," she said (via Forbes).

Krejcikova pointed out how she played a three-hour first-round match, dealt with injury, and faced troubles during her campaign. The former World No. 2 reiterated that she had no clue how she won.

"It's unbelievable. I mean, just two weeks ago I started here, I, I had a very tough first match, 3 hours, 15, winning 7-5 in third set and, and I wasn't really in a good shape before that because I injured a nail and I didn't really have a good beginning of the season. And, I mean, it's unbelievable. I'm standing here and I am a Wimbledon winner. How that happen? I have no idea," she added.

Barbora Krejcikova, who won a gold in doubles at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, will head to Paris for the 2024 Olympics.