THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 8, 2024

Barbora Krejcikova

Press Conference

B. KREJCIKOVA/D. Collins

7-5, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Barbora, through to the quarterfinals. Must be feeling good today.

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Yeah, well, I'm definitely very happy with the way that I won today and that I'm through to the quarterfinals, that I was able to do the extra step that I wasn't in 2021.

It feels great. Yeah, I'm happy that I'm still competing.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You had a really good match with Danielle last year in San Diego, and then again this year started pretty well. What makes her such a tough opponent?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: I mean, she's a very good tennis player. She's very talented. She has a huge fighting spirit. I mean, I have a huge respect for her as for the player.

I also feel she's never giving up. She always goes. She's always fighting no matter what the score is. Yeah, I have a big respect for her.

Q. You've now made the quarterfinal at least in every single Grand Slam in your career so far. You have struggled with injuries the last couple of years, but now you are fully fit. How relieving is it to be out on court, your first Wimbledon quarterfinal, and now fully fit as well?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: It's great. It's always nice when you feel good and you don't really have any big, big issues. Yeah, I mean, it feels good. It's a great moment to be out there and to be able to compete and keep improving.

Q. You had a rough patch after Australia with the injury. When did it click again? When did you feel like your tennis was getting back together, that would explain your run here?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, I mean, it's tough to say because I feel just in general for me it takes little bit more time to get the match rhythm. I've been fighting. I've been actually playing since Strasbourg pain-free and illness-free. It took me a couple matches.

Definitely I think the Birmingham helped me, that I finally got the win since Doha. I mean, from there I feel that I'm improving.

Q. How would you describe what Wimbledon means to you and how that affects your feeling right now about reaching this part of the tournament?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, I mean, yeah, Wimbledon, it's a super traditional tournament. I mean, I always wanted to play here. I always wanted to be part of the singles competition. I played many, many times in Roehampton, tried to qualify. It wasn't really working.

Then in 2021 I finally did my debut here. I mean, already before I was able to win the doubles. So for me being here at the Wimbledon, being part of the competition and being part of the traditions, I mean, strawberries and all white, all this, I mean, I really like it. It's something that I like that's little bit also part of my personality. I like all these history stuff and the tradition.

It's an honor and a dream come true to be here and play at the Wimbledon.

Q. How would you describe your next opponent? What makes her a special player, Ostapenko? What is the challenge for you?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, I mean, I kind of grew up with Jelena. We played many times as a juniors. We also played many times as adults.

I mean, she is a tough opponent. She's playing good tennis. I expect it's going to be a very, very difficult match.

But I'm looking forward for it. I'm going to really enjoy that I'm in a quarterfinals and I can play and try to get through.

Q. What's most special about her game in your mind?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, she's just pretty much hitting every single shot very, very hard. I mean, yeah, so far she was successful. I hope I'm going to block her.

Q. What is the key to play against someone, as you said, who is going to hit as hard as she can every ball? What is the key to mentally stay in the match and find a way through that?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: I mean, it's tough to say. It's very individual. I mean, the key is, yeah, try to stay in the game, try to get into the rallies.

But, I mean, on the other hand, it depends on the match. Yeah, I mean, I just won against Danielle. It's 9 p.m. I'm just going to celebrate this and just have some nice dinners, celebrate with my team, then tomorrow play some doubles, then I'm going to prepare for the next match.

I mean, it's tough to kind of describe what I'm going to do in the quarterfinals now.

Q. In your preparation, do you mainly focus on yourself, what you can do, or do you also look at what your opponent can do?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: I do both, uh-huh. I prepare for both. I prepare myself, but also I'm looking at the strategy, like how can I hurt my opponent.