Marketa Vondrousova created history by becoming the first-ever unseeded player to win the Wimbledon title. She defeated the 2022 runner-up Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-4 in a remarkable display of class and patience. The Czech player has come a long way since her injury-riddled days. She ensured that her name went up on the Winner’s board at the All England club.
During the final few moments of the match, Vondrousova’s sister Julia’s reaction won the hearts of tennis fans. Sitting in the box, next to Marketa’s husband Stepan, Julia was a ball of nervous energy.
Marketa Vondrousova’s sister was a bundle of nerves, tears, & joy watching her sister win Wimbledon
This is 1 of the sweetest & most genuine reactions you’ll ever see at a tennis tournament
This is what it’s all about 🥹
There’s nothing like family ❤️
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 15, 2023
Tears were seen streaming down her face as Marketa was a point away from winning her first-ever Grand Slam title. She could not hold back her tears of joy as her sister created history on the lush green Centre Court.
Just a year prior, Marketa was a tourist in London, recovering from her wrist surgery and sightseeing with her sister, and cheering for a friend competing at Wimbledon. Here she is, a year later, having won the silverware.
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Truly, what a difference a year can make in the life of an athlete. It is remarkable the way Marketa Vondrousova turned all the odds in her favor to win the title at SW19.
Marketa Vondrousova’s journey to Wimbledon glory
Vondrousova showed her talents to the world when she made it to the final of the French Open in 2019. She lost the match but did not lose her fire. Two wrist surgeries later, Vondrousova is the new Wimbledon champion.
Her breakthrough has come on a surface where her records are pretty unflattering. She had a 2-10 record at the beginning of the grass-court season last month. Throughout the tournament, Vondrousova did not play in a way that reflected those numbers.
“On grass, I didn’t play well before. I think it was the most impossible Grand Slam for me to win, so I didn’t even think of it. When we came, I was just like, ‘Try to win a couple of matches.’ Now this happened. It’s crazy.” said the new Wimbledon champion.
En route to her victory, Vondrousova defeated five seeded players and added her name to a long list of Czech players who won before her. That list also includes Petra Kvitova, who was defeated by Ons Jabeur this year.
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Marketa had previously won the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. With a Grand Slam title now under her belt, we hope to see her add many more to her cabinet of trophies.
