Czech Republic’s Marketa Vondrousova beats Ons Jabeur to win Wimbledon 2023 title | Tennis News – Times of India

Vondrousova joins Jana Novotna and Petra Kvitova as the only Czech women to win a Wimbledon title.
She is just the ninth unseeded champion at a Grand Slam tournament.

Jabeur was bidding to become the first Arab player to win a Grand Slam title and the first African woman to win one of the four majors.

“It’s going to be a tough day but I am not going to give up,” she said while wiping away her tears.
“It’s the most painful loss of my career. but we’re going to make it one day, I promise you I’m not going to give up.”

She produced a nervy display under the Centre Court roof, however, and Vondrousova, who had wrist surgery last year and missed the tournament, stayed cool to claim the title.
Vondrousova’s triumph completed a remarkable comeback after a rash of injuries stalled her promising career.
“After everything I’ve been through – I had a cast on this time last year – and now I can’t believe I’m holding this trophy,” said Vondrousova who was sidelined with a wrist injury in 2022.

Just 12 months ago, she was an injured bystander at Wimbledon, reduced to watching her best friend Miriam Kolodziejova attempt to qualify for the main draw.
Vondrousova’s second wrist surgery had ruled the Olympic silver medallist out for six months, although her absence from the tour at least allowed her the space and time to get married.

She was the second-lowest ranked player to reach the Wimbledon final — only Serena Williams in 2018 was lower at 181.
So unexpected was her run that she told her husband Stepan Simek to stay at home in Prague to look after their cat Frankie until the final, when a pet sitter was found to allow her partner to make the trip to Wimbledon.

(With inputs from agencies)