Barbora Krejcikova was this year’s defending champion at Wimbledon, and yet went into the tournament with minimal expectations.
Few genuinely believed that she would retain her title, not because of a lack of quality, but because of how fragile she had looked since that triumph.
The Czech player’s body has routinely broken down over the last year, forcing her to retire and withdraw or play on with injury.
It was for that reason that many even tipped Alexandra Eala to dump her out in the very first round.
However, in winning that match, she started to slowly prove people wrong, and as she took the first set against Emma Navarro with ease, she seemed poised to reestablish her title credentials.
Then, disaster once again struck.
Barbora Krejcikova reacts after Wimbledon exit
Frustratingly enough for Krejcikova, this issue was not muscular, but instead an illness that left her bed-bound for days following that eventual loss to Navarro.
Before it had kicked in, she was cruising, but in one cruel moment the match turned, and the 29-year-old began to look tired, sluggish and increasingly emotional as she realised what was happening.
Her Wimbledon run was being stolen from her, and she could do nothing about it.
There were some really emotional scenes as Krejcikova pressed her head against the back wall, hiding her face as the tears fell.
And now, she has since broken her silence on social media, offering an explanation after making a really tough decision following that devastation.
She did finish her statement with a promise that should fill her fans with hope, though: “I’m proud of how far I’ve come, of the fight I showed, and of the journey back. And I’m so grateful for the love and energy from the Wimbledon crowd and the fans. You are truly amazing.
“See you next year, Wimbledon.”
Krejcikova was told to be proud of her Wimbledon run this year, despite the manner of her exit.
Wimbledon will once again have a brand-new female winner
For the seventh year running, we are guaranteed to have a new Wimbledon winner on the women’s side, as all previous champions have been knocked out before the semi-finals.
And, with Krejcikova out, Serena Williams remains the last lady to defend her title at the All-England Club, having done so by winning the event in 2015 and 2016.
One of Iga Swiatek, Belinda Bencic, Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova will be crowned the new champion on Saturday, with the semi-finals taking place today.
Glory awaits one of this quartet, all of whom are within touching distance of the ultimate prize in tennis.
