'I miss her so much' - Krejcikova remembers Novotna

Barbora Krejcikova will effort to emulate her precocious mentor and friend Jana Novotna erstwhile she faces Jasmine Paolini successful nan women's singles last astatine Wimbledon.

The 28-year-old Czech wiped distant tears arsenic she paid tribute to Novotna aft making an unthinkable comeback to defeat Elena Rybakina successful Thursday's semi-final.

Novotna, Wimbledon champion successful 1998, died from ovarian crab successful 2017 astatine nan property of 49.

"I conscionable miss her very much, I miss her truthful much," said 31st seed Krejcikova aft reaching her first Wimbledon women's singles final.

"Definitely I retrieve reasoning astir Jana a lot. I person truthful galore beautiful memories and erstwhile I measurement connected nan tribunal here, I americium fighting for each shot and I americium judge that is what she would want maine to do."

Novotna mislaid successful nan Wimbledon last successful 1993 and 1997 earlier triumphing successful 1998 erstwhile she defeated France's Nathalie Tauziat.

Krejcikova first met Novotna erstwhile her parents took her, aged 18, to nan erstwhile world number two's location to inquire for advice.

Novotna saw thing typical and became her coach, mentor and friend until she died.

Now Krejcikova, who said she "never" believed she could scope a Wimbledon singles final, has nan chance to travel successful Novotna's footsteps.

"A mates of years agone I was moving pinch Jana," Krejcikova added.

"I mean I was truthful acold erstwhile we had this talk and now I americium here. Wow, I americium successful a final!"

It is not nan first clip Krejcikova has spoken astir nan effect of Novotna connected her career.

She pointed to nan entity and said "she is looking aft maine from up there" aft winning her maiden Grand Slam singles title astatine nan French Open successful 2021.

Following Marketa Vondrousova's astonishing triumph astatine Wimbledon past year, Krejcikova tin make it back-to-back titles for nan Czech Republic if she defeats Italian seventh seed Paolini successful Saturday's final.

A two-time doubles champion astatine Wimbledon, Krejcikova's chances of reaching a singles last looked slim erstwhile Rybakina raced to a 4-0 lead and took nan first set.

But Krejcikova battled her measurement backmost into nan tie, entertaining nan crowd pinch slices and driblet shots earlier sealing an affectional victory.

It is nan first clip she has reached a Grand Slam singles last since her occurrence astatine Roland Garros 3 years ago.