"Never give up on your dreams" - Barbora Krejcikova recalls her journey from promising her mother that she would win a title to Dubai triumph
Czech player Barbora Krejcikova recently shared the emotional story of her journey to her maiden singles triumph at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Barbora Krejcikova beat Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-2 in the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships to win her first WTA 1000 title.
Krejcikova shared on social media that back in 2020, she promised her mother she would win a trophy in Dubai.
Krejcikova was in top form in Dubai as she defeated the top-three players in the world in the last three rounds consecutively to lift the title. This was Krejcikova's sixth overall title.
"In 2020 - before tournament I told my mom that one day I will get a trophy from Dubai. Same week we were doubles finalists and I brought back my first Dubai trophy," she wrote on social media.
Krejcikova added that finishing as the runner-up in 2021, after entering the main draw as the last direct appearance, fuelled her dream of winning the title.
"In 2021 - As last direct acceptance in MD, unexpectedly I reached my first WTA 1000 singles final in Dubai. I remember Garbine lifting up the trophy, and dreaming one day I will be standing there with winners trophy," she added.
Her dream came true last week, as Krejcikova won her first WTA 1000 tour level title.
"In 2023 - I'm lifting up the winners trophy. Never give up on your dreams. No matter how impossible they appear. Everything is possible," she said.
Barbora Krejcikova became only the fifth woman to defeat the top three players in the world in a tournament in the last 40 years after Steffi Graf (1999 French Open), Serena Williams (2002 Miami Open), Venus Williams (2008 WTA Finals) and Aryna Sabalenka (2022 WTA Finals).
Barbora Krejcikova elated with the way she played to win Dubai Tennis Championships
Barbora Krejcikova was understandably elated with the way she played en route to the title at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
During the post-final press conference, Krejcikova said she felt "great" after winning her maiden WTA 1000 title. The 27-year-old added that she played her best tennis in the tournament.
"Well, I feel great. I think I show my best tennis this week. I'm really happy with the way how I played, how I was able to, I mean, play my tennis but also hold the nerves, just enjoy everything that was happening during this week on the court. Yeah, I mean, it was a big match," Krejcikova said.
The triumph helped Krejcikova leap 14 spots in the WTA rankings and climb up to World No. 16.