LONDON — Defending Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova was left in tears at the back of the court before crashing out in the third round to Danielle Collins, marking a heartbreaking end to her title defense at the All England Club.
The Czech star, who claimed her maiden Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2023, struggled with her emotions during a tense second-set tiebreak against the American. Krejcikova, visibly distraught, wiped away tears between points, her composure crumbling under the pressure of Collins' relentless baseline game.
The match, played under the closed roof of No. 1 Court due to rain delays, ended 6-4, 7-6(4) in Collins' favor. Krejcikova later admitted, "I couldn’t control my emotions today. It was just too much—the pressure, the expectations, everything."
A Rollercoaster Match
Krejcikova started strongly, holding serve comfortably in the opening games. However, Collins, a former Australian Open finalist, quickly found her rhythm, breaking Krejcikova in the seventh game before sealing the first set 6-4.
The second set was a tighter affair, with both players trading breaks early. Krejcikova fought back from 3-5 down, saving two match points to force a tiebreak. But her emotional breakdown during the tiebreak proved costly, as Collins capitalized on unforced errors to close out the match.
Key Moments That Turned the Match
Several pivotal moments defined the contest:
- Collins’ aggressive return game, which saw her win 42% of Krejcikova’s second-serve points
- Krejcikova’s 32 unforced errors, many coming in crucial stages of the match
- The emotional turning point in the tiebreak, where Krejcikova double-faulted at 3-4
Post-Match Reactions
Krejcikova, who had been struggling with injuries earlier in the season, was visibly devastated in her post-match press conference. "I wanted to give everything, but today my mind wasn’t strong enough. I let myself down," she said, her voice trembling.
Collins, meanwhile, praised her opponent’s fighting spirit. "Barbora is a champion, and I knew she wouldn’t go down without a battle. It’s never easy seeing someone so upset, but I had to stay focused," she said.
What’s Next for Krejcikova?
The loss marks a disappointing end to Krejcikova’s grass-court season. However, she remains optimistic about her future. "I’ll take some time to reset, work on my mental game, and come back stronger," she vowed.
Collins advances to the fourth round, where she will face either Jelena Ostapenko or Yulia Putintseva. The American, who announced this will be her final season, is now a dark horse for the title.
Conclusion
Krejcikova’s emotional exit serves as a reminder of the immense pressure faced by defending champions. While her Wimbledon journey ended in tears, her resilience and talent ensure she will remain a contender in future tournaments.
For Collins, the victory reinforces her reputation as a fierce competitor, proving once again that she thrives on the big stage. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether she can continue her dream run.