This year will see a brand new champion in the women’s draw at Wimbledon after the two remaining former champions exited on Saturday.
Reigning champion Barbora Krejcikova had her campaign ended by Emma Navarro in a roller-coaster encounter. The Czech world No.16 dealt with dizziness and had her blood pressure taken during her 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, loss to the American.
During the third set, she was visibly in distress and was seen bending over numerous times. Eventually, it all got too much for Krejcikova, who started to cry shortly before serving to stay in the match.
The defeat is a new heartbreak for the 29-year-old, who hasn’t won a title since triumphing at SW19 12 months ago. Coming into this year’s tournament, she was hampered by a thigh injury. Earlier in the season, she also missed the first five months due to a spinal injury.
Due to her illness, Krejcikova declined to do any press commitments.
Rybakina goes out, but Swiatek wins
Another former champion to exit the draw is Elena Rybakina, who was ousted 7-6(6), 6-3, by Denmark’s Clara Tauson. The Dane is seeded 12 places lower than her in 23rd place. The Kazakh did have her chances to nudge ahead in the match. During the first set, she failed to convert two set points when leading 5-4 and then in the tiebreaker lost a 5-3 lead. Then in the second set, she lost three games in a row, which proved fatal to her chances of winning.
“Every year is different, and you play different opponents. Grass is very unpredictable. It’s a very short season. Not everyone gets to adjust quickly,” Rybakina said of the high-profile exits from this year’s draw.
“No one has won it (the Wimbledon title) more than once lately. Hopefully it’s going to happen soon, but as I said, it’s just very different from all the other surfaces.”
Rybakina played her match on Court 2 instead of the two premier courts. Something she admits surprised her, considering she is a former champion.
“I was expecting Court 1, but when I saw that it’s Court 2, I mean, nothing I can do in this situation,” she said.
“It’s much nicer to play on Court 1 or Centre, but there are still a lot of seeded players. It’s not the first time I’ve had to play on another court.”
As for those seeking a maiden Wimbledon title, Iga Swiatek will be hoping that it will be her. The Pole defeated Danielle Collins 6-2, 6-3, on Centre Court. Her reward is a showdown with Rybakina’s conqueror, Tauson.
“It’s going to be challenging. When she plays well, she can hit great serves, amazing winners. She has a great touch. She’s really talented,” said Swiatek.
“I haven’t watched her matches because I’m not watching a lot. For sure I’m going to prepare tomorrow and I’ll be ready. It’s going to be a challenge, for sure.”
Swiatek is one of two former Grand Slam winners left in the draw. The other is top seed Aryna Sabalenka.
