Krejcikova: "Four weeks ago it would have been impossible to think of something like this"

If Jasmine Paolini were not the most smiling player on the circuit, today we would say that it is impossible to find a more radiant smile than that of Barbora Krejcikova at Wimbledon. Both will be the two players who will define the title match next Saturday, although it is the Czech who has been the bigger surprise to reach this stage. A Grand Slam champion and former world No. 2 who is back, although she still has one last mission. This is how her press conference went after the victory over Elena Rybakina.

Win over Rybakina

"I feel great, it's very nice to hear all this. I'm super proud of how I could read Elena's serve, although it was very difficult, but little by little I was guessing the placement, even though she kept serving very well. Her shot is so good that you really can't see it, so I did my best to guess it. I'm happy I guessed it right, from the beginning I believed in turning the situation around, even though she kept hitting winners on the court. I felt I had to stick to my game, keep fighting and stay there with her. I knew my opportunities would come at some point."

Three-year gap between her Grand Slam finals

"I feel like I had to improve everything during this time, I definitely improved on faster surfaces, I had to develop my game because all the other opponents were also developing their game. It's great that today it seems like I've made some progress and that's why I'm in another final. Today, for example, I felt that at some points I had to put more pressure to change the dynamics, so one of the options I have up my sleeve is serving and volleying."

Jasmine Paolini and a single precedent

"I don't remember that match, to be honest. It's been a long time, what's clear is that it's been a great journey for both of us to reach the Wimbledon final. I watched a bit of Jasmine this afternoon, before my match, as I had to follow her score. I expect a tough match on Saturday, I hope it will be a great match for both of us, a lot of fight from both sides. What I expect is a very, very, very, very nice match."

Jana Novotna remembered

"We talked many times about her career, about her matches here, but it's been a long time since those days, so I can't remember exactly what aspects we talked about. But yes, we did, I hope she is proud of me. After my time with her, I had the chance to know her and spend time with her, see what she was like and what a great champion she is. We have a great tennis history in the Czech Republic with this tournament, but also with any other event. Fortunately, as a child, I always had many peers to admire, so it's great that now I'm a Grand Slam champion and a finalist at Wimbledon."

Many struggles to get here

"I've had many tough periods this season, four weeks ago it would have been impossible to think about reaching a Wimbledon final, to think I could be a different player. Before the tournament, I told myself I was going to enjoy everything more, that I already had great achievements, so I just wanted to have fun instead of being so stressed about my performances. So far, I think I've been quite successful, I'm enjoying the moment much more than I did in Paris, where everything was much more stressful. It was the first time, so since I won the title, everything has been more relaxing."

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Krejcikova: “Hace cuatro semanas hubiera sido imposible pensar en algo así”