Barbora Krejcikova, the former world No. 2 tennis player, is grappling with mounting stress due to her persisting back injury, which she attributes to the rapid transitioning between different playing surfaces. The Czech tennis star, who clinched her second Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last year, has seen her performance dwindle in subsequent tournaments, although she made it to the WTA Finals semifinal.
In a candid conversation with the Czech media, Krejcikova voiced her growing anxiety over her injury, expressing concern about the slow pace of her recovery and the looming question of whether she will ever be free of pain. Her candid revelation gives a glimpse into the psychological toll that physical injuries can impose on athletes.
“Recovery is not as fast as I expected, that’s true, but I am doing everything possible to return as soon as possible,” Krejcikova admitted to Sport CZ, adding, “I wonder if I will ever be completely free of pain again, right now it is a situation that stresses me quite a bit.”
The toll on her health has been so severe that she has been sidelined since Riyadh and is set to miss more games, including the Indian Wells and Miami tournaments. This has understandably added to her stress, given her passion for the sport and the desire to compete at the highest level.
The 2024 Wimbledon champion attributes her physical setbacks to the quick transitioning between different surfaces. In retrospect, she believes that switching from grass to clay was one of the most challenging periods in her career.
“I remember that the first day it rained, on the second, there was heat, and I played in the afternoon with the hottest weather, as well as long matches,” she recalled. “I noticed this the next day when my strength quickly began to diminish. After the first match, my head was spinning and I had cramps, I didn’t feel well at all.”
In the wake of her physical ailments, Krejcikova hinted at a possible reduction in her doubles appearances upon her return, suggesting a more selective approach to her scheduling. As she works towards her recovery, fans and fellow players alike will be eagerly waiting to see if the Czech star will be fit in time for the clay season in April.
