"It was a very difficult period" - Barbora Krejcikova admits inner doubts coming into Wimbledon ahead of magical SF run

Barbora Krejcikova advanced to her first Wimbledon semifinal after defeating Jelena Ostapenko on Wednesday, July 10. The Czech player had form and injury concerns coming into the Grasscourt Slam but she was happy she did not give up.

After losing in the quarterfinal in the Abu Dhabi Open in February, Krejcikova was away from competitive tennis for over two months. She faced a back injury and later an illness, which kept her out of multiple tournaments.

However, after coming back on tour, she earned only two victories and endured multiple first-round exits before making her way to Wimbledon.

At the All England Club, Krejcikova has been in newfound form. The Czech player has lost only one set on her way to the semifinal.

On July 10, she was up against 13th seed Ostapenko in the quarterfinal. Krejcikova won the match 6-4, 7-6(4) in an hour and 40 minutes. Following the impressive victory on her way to her first Wimbledon semifinal, the 28-year-old explained that she had gone through a difficult period.

“It was a very difficult period. It was actually super difficult even before this tournament. I really want to thank my boys and my team that’s there today. There have been many doubts from inside but also from the outside world," Barbora Krejcikova said.

"I’m super happy I never gave up and that I’m standing here right now and that I’ve reached the semifinals.”

This is only the second time Krejcikova has reached the semifinal stage of a Grand Slam. The first time she reached the last four in a Major was during the 2021 French Open, a tournament she went on to win.

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Barbora Krejcikova faces Elena Rybakina in Wimbledon 2024 SF

Barbora Krejcikova at The Championships - Wimbledon 2024.

Elena Rybakina, like Barbora Krejcikova, has lost only a set on her way to the semifinal at Wimbledon. The Kazakh defeated Ukrainian Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinal on Wednesday, July 10. She set up a semifinal date with Krejcikova on Friday, July 12.

During her post-match interview, Krejcikova was asked what it is like to go up against a player like Rybakina.

"...Well, I don’t know, we’ll see in the semifinals," she said, seemingly reluctantly.

"I’ve never experienced anything like this, so I will see and I can tell you after the semifinals how does it feel," she added, smiling.

Krejcikova and Rybakina have faced each other twice before and the Czech has won both those encounters.

In the other semifinal, on the same day, Italy's Jasmine Paolini will take on Croat Donna Vekic with the winner advancing to their maiden Wimbledon final.