Since late afternoon on Saturday 13 July last year, Barbora Krejcikova has known exactly where she would be 353 days later, at 1.30pm on Tuesday 1st July 2025 – namely, walking out on to Centre Court to open play on Day Two of The Championships, the honour always accorded to the defending women’s titleholder.
It’s been a rocky old path for the Czech since she lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish.
A back injury meant her 2025 season did not even begin until May. With just six matches under her belt for the entire year, her Eastbourne challenge last week came to an unwanted halt with a right thigh problem. But as matters stand, she will – phew – walk out on the great stage at the appointed hour, as scheduled.
“It’s very, very special and beautiful to enter the Club after last year,” said Krejcikova, whose singles triumph earned her an accolade which even her 2018 and 2022 doubles victories here did not – coveted membership of the All England Club.
“It feels great. I feel very happy and really privileged that I can be in this position. It’s tough and complicated after all the time I’ve been out, but not difficult.
“[After Eastbourne] I had to have a couple days off where I didn't really play any tennis, but I did some off-court stuff. I've been feeling every day a little bit better, so I'm really happy with that.
“I hope by Tuesday everything's going to be fine. I hope I'm going to have a nice match and a great tournament.”
But of course, nothing is easy. The 29-year-old, seeded 17 this time around, will start her defence opposite Alexandra Eala.
The exciting young Filipino’s wins this year include five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, while her runner-up achievement at Eastbourne will not only see her world ranking leap to No.56 by the start of The Championships, but bears witness to her increasing confidence on grass.
“To be honest, I don’t know that much about her,” conceded Krejcikova. “She’s obviously a young upcoming player, one of the new generation. It’s going to be a great match-up, and I’m looking forward to seeing where the young generation is.”
Improbable odds are something Krejcikova is used to. If anything, the Czech’s build-up to her triumphant Wimbledon 2024 was even tougher than this year. Back then, she commenced the grass court swing with just one completed match to her name in the preceding five months.
Yet she was unstoppable through the tournament. Her thrilling turnaround semi-final victory over 2022 champion Elena Rybakina was followed by a battle of the first-time finalists against Jasmine Paolini. Amid unbearable tension, the Czech captured the crown to emulate her beloved mentor, the late 1998 Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna, and in so doing, became the second lowest-ranked winner here since WTA rankings began in 1975.
“The moment I remember most clearly was winning the match point and looking at my box,” Krejcikova smiled. “I couldn’t believe I was about to be handed the trophy. Everything was amazing, like a fairytale.
“I have great memories but basically now it’s a new tournament, even though I won it last year. The preparation is the same. I’ve been working really hard to come back and be here, and enjoy it. I want to do well again.”