John McEnroe and Ash Barty praised Barbora Krejčíková for what they see as a very effective shot in her game after she won Wimbledon.
The 31st seed became the first Czech player since Petra Kvitova in 2014 to triumph at the All-England Club for the first time.
She edged Jasmine Paolini in a compelling three-set match on centre court to claim what is the second major title, three years after winning the French Open.
Very few fancied the Czech player to win the title, but she defied the odds by beating four players ranked inside the top 20 two of which are inside the top 10, to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish proudly above her head.
What did John McEnroe and Ash Barty say about Barbora Krejčíková during the Wimbledon final?
Krejčíková came through a tough three-set battle against Paolini to add her name to the many others who have claimed the Wimbledon title.
She fended off a stiff challenge from the Italian to claim a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory. At the age of 28, she is the oldest player to win her first Wimbledon title since Angelique Kerber defeated Serena Williams in 2018.
On BBC commentary McEnroe and Barty highlighted one of Krejčíková’s most important shots, which they both agreed was key to her victory.
“Wouldn’t you look at Krejčíková and think that’s the perfect grass court game, mixing it up, using the slice forehand, you don’t see it that much in the men’s or women’s game, it’s so effective,” McEnroe said.
“It’s a set-up shot but it also throws off opponents because it skids. It’s hard to feel relaxed against her.” Barty added: “It’s a great shot to be able to control the tempo of the points.
“Barbora has such good skill, and she’s able to move through the gears within a point. She’s able to inject some pace, particularly when she’s got time on her forehand.
“She’s a very intelligent tennis player and knows how to put the ball in difficult positions to then give herself more time to be able to create that pace and use her weapons effectively.”
Barbora Krejčíková makes history for Czech Republic after winning Wimbledon
Krejčíková’s victory comes a year after Marketa Vondrosova stunned Ons Jabeur to win the Wimbledon title as an unseeded player.
Krejcikova is now the 51st woman to win at SW19 and is the first Czech player in the Open Era to win Grand Slams at two separate events.
Furthermore, she became just the second Czech player after Vondrosova to reach the final at both Wimbledon and Roland Garros.
Krejcikova also became the fifth Czech player to reach the Wimbledon final in the Open Era, after Vondrousova, Kvitova, Jana Novotna and Karolina Pliskova.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
