BARBORA KREJCIKOVA is the least likely Wimbledon champion of the last 50 years, according to the bookies.
The Czech star, 28, overcame Italy’s Jasmine Paolini 6-2 2-6 6-4 on Centre Court to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish.
Krejcikova has now won two Major titles, having triumphed at Roland Garros in 2021.
Going into this year’s Wimbledon, however, she wasn’t given much of a chance due to her erratic form this year.
The 31st seed won just three matches between January’s Australian Open and this month’s Championships.
Accordingly, she came into Wimbledon as an outsider for the title.
Researcher Evan Abrams pointed out on social media: “Krejcikova’s 125-1 pre-tournament odds are the longest listed odds for a Ladies or Men’s Wimbledon champion in the last 50 years.”
Krejcikova had to battle through tricky opening rounds.
She beat Veronika Kudermetova 7-6 6-7 7-5 in round one, before overcoming Katie Volynets in two tiebreak sets.
The would-be champion then beat last year’s winner Marketa Vondrousova’s conqueror Jessica Bouzas Maneiro via retirement, then really found her groove.
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Krejcikova despatched of 11th seed Danielle Collins 7-5 6-3, before ending Jelena Ostapenko’s impressive run 6-4 7-6 in the quarter-finals.
She then knocked off fourth seed Elena Rybakina 3-6 6-3 6-4 to book her final spot against Paolini.
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Abrams pointed out that Vondrousova, who won the title last year as an unseeded player, had been 100/1 going into her successful run.
He then claimed that Rybakina had been the same price in 2022.
Asked about her improbable run, Krejcikova was at a loss to explain how she suddenly found blistering form.
She said: “I have no idea why this tournament. I had really tough draw from the very first match.
“I was just going match by match. I was just feeling better and getting better.
“Here I am. I don’t know how that happened! But, yes, I’m a winner of this edition.”
PRIZE MONEY for the 2024 Wimbledon Championships is a new record – and puts the grass-court Slam at the top of the tree.
The All England Club will dish out £50million across all the events – an increase of £5.3m and 11.9 per cent on last year, where singles champions Carlos Alcaraz and Marketa Vondrousova picked up £2.35m each.
However, the king and queen of grass this July will collect an extra £350,000 – taking the winner’s earnings to £2.7m.
Here is the breakdown for the 2024 Wimbledon singles prize money:
