“I never really wanted to be a doubles specialist” Barbora Krejcikova reacts after reaching the semi-finals of the French Open 2021


“I never really wanted to be a doubles specialist” Barbora Krejcikova reacts after reaching the semi-finals of the French Open 2021

Barbora Krejcikova

2-time Grand Slam winner in the Doubles event, Barbora Krejcikova finally reaches her maiden Singles Grand Slam semi-final with a straight-set victory in the quarter-finals of the French Open 2021.

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Barbora defeated American teenager Coco Gauff 7-6(6), 6-3 as she continues her dream run at the French Open and reaches her first ever career Singles semi-final at the Grand Slam with her 2nd best result being her run till the 4th round in the 2020 French Open.

In the other 3 Grand Slams, she is yet to reach the main draw at the Wimbledon and US Open and reached the 2nd round on two occasions at the Australian Open.

Barbora talks about being labelled as Doubles Specialist

Barbora Krejcikova
Barbora Krejcikova and Rajeev Ram with their 2021 Australian Open Mixed Doubles trophy

While Barbora has struggled in the Singles event, she has 5 Grand Slam titles to her name in the Doubles category. She won the 2018 French Open and 2018 Wimbledon titles in the Doubles category, and with her 2021 Australian Open victory in the Mixed-Doubles, the Czech star completed a hattrick of titles in Melbourne defending her 2019 Mixed Doubles title in 2020 and in 2021.

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I never really wanted to be a doubles specialist. Everybody just put a label on me like, ‘Yeah, you play Doubles, you are a Doubles specialist’. But I never felt like I just want to be a Doubles specialist because I felt like we won our first two Grand Slams when I was 22. I felt like well, I don’t want to be a Doubles specialist when I am 22.” said Barbora about her Doubles victories.

I just want to play Singles, I want to work hard, I want to improve my game and I want to play the top players in Singles. So, I was just working hard all the time and I just wanted to play Singles. It was really frustrating that I was just not able to get there” added Barbora.

“I can do what I love to do” Barbora Krejcikova talks about getting the chance to play at the top level

Barbora Krejcikova
Barbora Krejcikova

Barbora continued her struggles on the big stage and was not able to win titles in the Singles category while winning in the Doubles. Her first Singles title came at the WTA Strasbourg Open 2021 where she participated in her preparation for the French Open 2021.

“But I always felt like if I worked hard, if I’m gonna continue and tried to be patient, which is really not my thing, but I felt that sooner or later, I’m just gonna get there and I will have a chance to play all these top players, to learn something and gain some experience.” said Barbora about working hard in her approach towards the matches.

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I’m just very happy and I appreciate that I’m here, I’m playing tennis and I can do what I love to do and I can play all these amazing athletes. It’s very nice when I have a match point and I finish the point and I can raise my hands and really enjoy the moment that yeah, right now this is where I want to be. That’s where I always want to be. So it’s cool. It’s cool.” concluded Barbora.

Barbora Krejcikova will now face Greek national Maria Sakkari in what will be the first semi-final for both the players.

Also Read: French Open 2021: Barbora Krejcikova vs Maria Sakkari Preview, Head to Head and Prediction for Roland Garros

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