World No 32 says she ‘never dreamed’ she would hold the same title as the former winner who championed her, Jana Novotná

What is it about Czech women and Wimbledon? Barbora Krejčiková became the third player in the last decade from that nation of 10.6 million people to win the women’s singles title, following Petra Kvitová in 2014 and Markéta Vondroušová last year. And – of more personal resonance to Krejčiková – she also joins Jana Novotná, the 1998 Wimbledon champion, who came from the same city, Brno, and became Krejčiková’s mentor and coach before dying of cancer in 2017 aged 49.

Krejčiková, the world No 32, beat Jasmine Paolini, the seventh seed from Italy, in just over two hours: 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. Afterwards, on court, she was asked what people in her homeland would make of her victory. “Well, I think nobody really believes it,” she replied, prompting a big laugh from the Centre Court stands. “Nobody believed I got to the final. And nobody will believe I won Wimbledon. I still cannot believe it – it’s unbelievable!”