Tennis-Inspired Krejcikova emulates mentor Novotna with Wimbledon triumph

Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 13, 2024 Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova celebrates with the trophy after winning her final against Italy's Jasmine Paolini REUTERS/Paul Childs

LONDON (Reuters) - An inspired Barbora Krejcikova etched her name onto Wimbledon's famed honours board alongside her late mentor Jana Novotna after the seasoned Czech survived a stirring fightback from Jasmine Paolini to seal a 6-2 2-6 6-4 victory in the final on Saturday.

The 2021 French Open champion added the Venus Rosewater Dish to her bulging trophy cabinet that also includes 10 Grand Slam doubles prizes besides an Olympic doubles gold medal from the Tokyo Games three years ago.