Marketa Vondrousova’s refreshing Wimbledon win: Injury comeback and history made

Marketa Vondrousova beat a heartbroken Ons Jabeaur to become the lowest rank woman to win the Wimbledon singles title, 6-4, 6-4, for her maiden slam.

Marketa Vondrousova had to sit out last year’s Wimbledon, nursing a left arm injury. A spectator watching the tournament with a cast on her arm, she attended because her best friend, fellow Czech player (and sometimes doubles partner) Miriam Kolodziejova had played. Vondrousova had been plagued by injuries in the last three years, with the 24-year-old having undergone several surgeries. It seemed as if bad luck had hampered her career.

Until it didn’t.

Entering Wimbledon this year, the Czech player proved to be in resilient form, where the 42nd-ranked player defeated higher-seeded players Donna Vekic and Marie Bouzkova in the earlier rounds, and even more impressive, Jessica Pegula and Elina Svitolina in the quarters and semis.

“After everything I’ve been through, it’s amazing I can stand here and hold this,” Vondrousova said during the trophy ceremony afterwards, according to ESPN. “Tennis is crazy.”

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Becoming the first unseeded player to win at the All England Club, Vondrousova made history. The last one who came close was sitting in the Royal Box, Billie Jean King, unseeded 60 years ago when she lost in the Wimbledon final to Margaret Court in 1963.

Wimbledon: Ons Jabeaur’s time will come

It was a heartbreaking loss for Ons Jabeaur, however, for the second Wimbledon final. Jabeur dissolved into tears and was comforted by the Princess of Wales, Catherine, as she handed her the runner up dish.

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“I think this is the most painful loss of my career,” Jabeur said, who has lost three grand slam finals, but who had also beaten four former grand slam winners and three Top 10 players in her inspiring run to the final. However, she vowed to keep fighting for another grand slam opportunity.

“It’s going to be a tough day for me today, but I am going to come back stronger and win a Grand Slam. I promise to win this tournament.”

Marketa Vondrousova’s charming breakthrough at Wimbledon

Vondrousova’s story became an intriguing one as the SW19 tournament progressed. Her husband, Stepan Simek, wasn’t there until the Thursday before the final because he was babysitting their hairless cat. He and the rest of her family were able to make it to the player’s box by the final. She and Simek’s first wedding anniversary is Sunday. They certainly have a lot to celebrate.

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Much comment was made about Vondrousova’s tattoos and she bet her coach, Jan Hernych, that if she won, he would have to get one himself.

And she plans on joining him.

“I hope he’s not going to back out,” said Vondrousova, smiling during her trophy ceremony speech, via the BBC. “I think I’ll choose for him. Maybe we’ll get the same one.”

Perhaps strawberries and cream?

The Wimbledon men’s final between the top two seeds, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will take place Sunday, 9:00 a.m. ET.