"I am just fighting, that's what Jana Novotna would want" - Barbora Krejcikova sheds tears as she remembers late coach after reaching Wimbledon final

Barbora Krejcikova broke down in tears while remembering her former coach, Jana Novotna, after reaching the final of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. The Czech defeated Elena Rybakina in three sets on Thursday, July 11, to reach her maiden Wimbledon singles final.

Krejcikova, who was struggling to find her rhythm in the 2024 season, seems to have found it at Wimbledon. She defeated Veronika Kudermatova in the opening round to begin her campaign and followed it up with wins over Katie Volynets and Jessica Bouzas (retired). The Czech then scored impressive wins over 11th seed Danielle Collins and 13th seed Jelena Ostapenko to reach the final four.

The 2021 French Open champion ousted fourth seed Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, staging an impressive comeback to reach the final.

During the on-court interview, Krejcikova remembered her former coach and the 1998 Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna. She said that her fighting spirit that made her run for every ball came from Novotna as that is what she would want.

“Definitely, I remember thinking about Jana a lot. I have so many beautiful memories and when I stepped on the court here, I am just fighting for every single ball because that's what I think she would want me to do,” Krejcikova said.

The former World No. 2 stepped aside as she broke down in tears remembering her late coach who died in 2017 and was asked if she was feeling okay, to which she responded:

“Yeah, I just miss her very much. I miss her so much.”

Barbora Krejcikova will face Jasmine Paolini in the final of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships

Barbora Krejcikova celebrates her semifinal win (image source: GETTY)

Barbora Krejcikova was overwhelmed with emotions as she tried to explain her feelings after reaching the Wimbledon final. She admitted to enjoying the moment and feeling relieved at the same time. The Czech was also proud of the fighting spirit she displayed during the semifinals.

"It's unbelievable. It's very tough to explain what I am feeling right now but it's a lot of joy, a lot of emotions, also a lot of relief and I'm just super proud about uhh, uhh (laughs). Yeah, just so proud about my game and about my fighting spirit today," she said.

Krejcikova will face Jasmine Paolini in the final of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. The Italian defeated Donna Vekic 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(8), thereby becoming the first player since Serena Williams in 2016 to make the French Open and Wimbledon finals in the same season.

The two women have only met once in their careers, with Barbora Krejcikova winning in the qualifiers of the 2018 Australian Open.