LONDON — Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova was left emotionally devastated after her third-round exit at the All England Club, revealing she was "glued to her bed for days" following the heartbreaking defeat. The Czech star, who won the French Open in 2021, broke down in tears on Court No. 2 after losing to American Danielle Collins in a grueling three-set match.
Krejcikova, seeded 31st at this year’s Championships, fought valiantly but ultimately succumbed to Collins 6-4, 3-6, 4-6 in a match that lasted over two hours. The 28-year-old, known for her fighting spirit, was visibly distraught after the final point, covering her face with her towel as tears streamed down her cheeks. "I gave everything, but it wasn’t enough," she later admitted in a post-match interview.
A Devastating Loss
The defeat marked Krejcikova’s earliest exit at Wimbledon since 2021, a tournament where she had hoped to make a deep run. The former world No. 2 had been in strong form leading up to the Championships, reaching the semifinals in Berlin just weeks earlier. However, Collins, a former Australian Open finalist, proved too resilient on the grass.
Krejcikova later shared on social media that the loss had left her emotionally drained. "I couldn’t move for days. I just stayed in bed, replaying the match in my head," she wrote. "It hurts because I know how much I prepared for this."
The Aftermath: Emotional and Physical Toll
The Czech star’s reaction highlights the immense pressure elite athletes face, particularly at Grand Slam events. Sources close to Krejcikova revealed that she struggled to eat or sleep properly in the days following the match, with her team encouraging her to take time away from tennis to recover mentally.
Her coach, Ales Kartus, acknowledged the emotional toll: "Barbora is a perfectionist. She puts everything into every match, and when it doesn’t go her way, she takes it very hard. But that’s also what makes her a champion."
Key Factors in the Defeat
Tennis analysts pointed to several critical moments that swung the match in Collins’ favor:
- First-set momentum: Krejcikova lost a tight opening set despite holding break points at 4-4.
- Serve struggles: Her first-serve percentage dropped to just 54% in the decider.
- Collins’ resilience: The American saved 8 of 11 break points, showcasing her clutch play.
Looking Ahead: Recovery and Future Goals
Despite the setback, Krejcikova remains determined to bounce back. She is expected to return to competition at the Paris Olympics, where she will represent the Czech Republic in both singles and doubles. "I’ll learn from this and come back stronger," she vowed in an Instagram post.
Her fans have rallied behind her, flooding social media with messages of support. One fan wrote, "You’ve given us so many unforgettable moments. One loss doesn’t define you—you’re still a champion."
Conclusion: The Human Side of Tennis
Krejcikova’s raw reaction serves as a reminder of the emotional highs and lows in professional sports. While victories bring euphoria, defeats—especially at the highest level—can be crushing. As she regroups, the tennis world will be watching to see how she channels this pain into future success.
For now, the Wimbledon champion is taking time to heal, both physically and mentally. "Tennis is my life, but sometimes you need to step back to move forward," she reflected.