Barbora Krejcikova’s preparations to defend her Wimbledon title took a major blow as the Czech tennis star suffered an unexpected loss to Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova at Queen’s Club on Tuesday.
Krejcikova, who clinched her second Grand Slam title last year by overcoming Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the Wimbledon final, was knocked out in the opening round of the prestigious warm-up event. The world number 17 was beaten 6-4, 6-3 by Sramkova in what marked a frustrating continuation of her post-Wimbledon slump.
The defeat is a bitter setback for Krejcikova, who has struggled since her triumph at the All England Club. Earlier this year, the 29-year-old was forced to skip the Australian Open due to a back injury, and she bowed out in the second round of the French Open just weeks ago. Her run in the US Open also ended in the second round last year.
Meanwhile, Sramkova, ranked 41st in the world, will now face former US Open champion Emma Raducanu in the second round at Queen’s. Raducanu, who made history by winning the US Open as a qualifier in 2021, had a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory over Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in her opening match. Despite battling ongoing back spasms this year, Raducanu seemed to be in excellent form, delighting the British crowd with her performance.
“I must say I was quite locked in today,” the world number 37 commented after her victory. “I’m very pleased with my performance. I was a little bit nervous at the beginning, but the support is incredible, and I just want to stay here playing as many matches as I can.”
This year’s Queen’s tournament marked the return of women’s singles play to the event for the first time since 1973. Alongside Raducanu, British players Katie Boulter and Heather Watson also advanced to the second round. Boulter triumphed over Australian qualifier Ajla Tomljanovic in a 7-6 (7/4), 1-6, 6-4 thriller, while Watson defeated world number 27 Yulia Putintseva 6-4, 6-3, setting up a clash with former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.