The Wimbledon Comeback

Barbora Krejčiková held up the Wimbledon trophy as the women’s singles champion in 2024 .

Krejčiková played a great match and won the Venus Rosewater Dish in 3 sets. But, the story behind her championship is about Hinge moments and the comeback.

The Hinge Moment: 

Krejčiková, a Czech, 18 years old in 2014, had just finished her junior tennis career. But, she needed help. So, she sought out fellow Czech’, Jana Novotna, and sure enough she took her in as her sole pupil.

“Everything that happened during that moment, it just changed my life,” she said. “Jana was the one who told me that I had the potential.” 

She coached her for three years and sadly, in 2017, Jana Novotna died from cancer at age 49.

In 1993, Jana Novotna had one of the biggest setbacks in Wimbledon history. Unfortunately, I watched it shockingly occur. Jana Novotna was beating the great Steffi Graf 6-7, 6-1, 4-1 in the 3rd set until she double faulted and lost her service game.

Everything quickly unraveled for her and she panicked. She ended up losing the final set 6-4 and the championship.

It’s not about the setback, it’s about the comeback!

In 1997, Jana Novotna once again lost in the finals of the women’s singles championship.

However, her comeback was finally winning Wimbledon in 1998! 

Barbora Krejcikova’ accomplished exactly what her mentor and coach, Novotna, had accomplished- winning Wimbledon…

The Take Home:

We don’t know the results from our action, but if we take no action, there will be no results. Krejcikova had to ask for help and Novotna had to receive. 

We need to be able to ask for help and we have to be able to offer help to others. Our own hinge moment arises best when we are the hinge for others!

It’s when we coach others that the belief can pass from one another!