Tennis, Wimbledon: Barbora Krejcikova and Jasmine Paolini earn the spotlight ahead of summit clash

Barbora Krejcikova is relishing her moment in the Wimbledon spotlight as she prepares for Saturday’s final against Jasmine Paolini – just a year after complaining that she was not regarded as one of the sport’s top stars.

Krejcikova felt overshadowed by the likes of Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina when she voiced her concerns about being ignored in conversations about the best female players.

“It’s about Iga, Aryna, and Elena, and I’m not really there,” she said at the time.

The Czech was already a Grand Slam winner by then, having clinched the French Open title in 2021, and had victories over Swiatek, Sabalenka and Rybakina to her credit.

But Krejcikova appeared to have lost her campaign to be seen as an elite player when a combination of injury and illness sent her crashing down the rankings.

By the time she arrived at Wimbledon two weeks ago, the world No 32 was reeling after a disappointing first round exit at the French Open.

Yet Krejcikova has spent the last fortnight reasserting her credentials to be regarded alongside world No 1 Swiatek and company.

“I felt I had to improve everything,” Krejcikova said. “I think I definitely got better on faster surfaces.

“I had to develop my game because everybody else is developing their game...

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