Wimbledon 2025 has produced its largest upset to date – defending champion Barbora Krejčíková is eliminated.
In a rollercoaster third-round battle on Court No. 1, American No. 10 seed Emma Navarro shocked the Czech sensation with a gritty comeback win: 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. The victory not only ends Krejčíková’s streak of consecutive titles at SW19 but guarantees Wimbledon will name a first-time women’s singles champ for the eighth year in a row.
A Bright Beginning That Burned Out Quickly
Krejčíková started the match in authoritative style. With her customary blend of strong baseline play and skilled net shots, she won the first set 6-2, demonstrating hints of the form that saw her take the 2024 title. Yet as the match wore on, the defending champion’s rhythm broke down.
Navarro, composed and relentless, flipped the script in the second set, attacking Krejčíková’s serve and capitalizing on her opponent’s movement-lack thereof.
Health Scare Shakes the Crowd
Halfway through the decisive set, an alarm was raised as Krejčíková looked obviously unwell. The 28-year-old needed treatment, including an examination of her blood pressure and prolonged treatment during a medical timeout. She was at one point apparently dizzy and physically exhausted, unable to remain on her feet between points.
But she showed courage to keep going, grinding out each rally—until Navarro, maintaining her composure, sealed the match in front of a shocked British crowd.
Krejčíková Speaks: “I Ate Too Early”
During her post-match interview, Krejčíková shared her enigmatic tiredness:
“I think maybe I ate too early. I just didn’t feel right out there. I started to get dizzy, and it only got worse as time went on.”
Though the devastating defeat, her elegance and poise in defeat shone through, to leave the court in tears, but to a standing ovation.
SportSnip Analysis: A Star Dimmed, Not Fallen
Barbora Krejčíková’s defeat is not merely an outcome—it’s a reminder of the physical toll elite tennis takes. Her defeat was not a result of poor playing, but instead a failure in physical preparation, perhaps as basic yet essential as the timing of nutrition.
In a tournament already shaken by premature departures from Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, Krejčíková’s loss is the latest to perpetuate the trend of high seeds imploding under the peculiar pressure and volatility of grass-court Grand Slams.
Krejčíková’s Next Steps
She now sets her sights on the North American hard-court swing, with targets:
Montreal
Cincinnati
The U.S. Open
But with precious Wimbledon ranking points now gone, she’ll have to produce deep runs in those events if she wants to regain her top-flight standing going into the last Grand Slam of the season.
A Free-For-All for the Crown
Navarro’s victory blows the Wimbledon draw wide open, paving the way for a brand-new champion to rise. With no past finalists left in the way, expect new and newer rivalries, hungry hopefuls, and surprise heroes to step up.
Navarro’s next? A thrilling showdown against rising teenage phenom Mirra Andreeva.
Last Words
Barbora Krejčíková might have exited early, but her class, heart, and integrity are still in place. Champions sometimes fall—not because they are not strong—but because they are carrying the burden of greatness on weary shoulders.
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