Defending Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova has unfortunately had to withdraw from the Lexus Eastbourne Open, citing a right thigh injury. This decision comes just ahead of her scheduled quarterfinal match, allowing qualifier Varvara Gracheva to move forward to the semifinals via a walkover.
In a heartfelt statement, Krejcikova expressed her regret about having to pull out of the competition, stating she had been experiencing soreness in her thigh. She reflected positively on her time at Eastbourne, stating, “I’ve truly enjoyed my time down here the past week and loved being back on the grass.” She also offered her best wishes to the tournament team for the remainder of the event and looked forward to returning next year to see the fans.
Krejcikova had displayed remarkable resilience to reach the quarterfinals, making a significant comeback by saving multiple match points in her earlier matches. She defeated Harriet Dart in a grueling first-round match and followed it up with another nail-biter against Jodie Burrage, showcasing her determination and skill. Notably, her achievement of winning two consecutive matches after saving match points had not been seen in WTA main draw competition since Elise Mertens did so at the 2023 US Open.
Meanwhile, the 111th-ranked Gracheva will be advancing to her first tour-level semifinal since her appearance in the Austin final earlier this year. She is set to face off against either Dayana Yastremska or fellow qualifier Alexandra Eala in the next round.
While Krejcikova’s withdrawal is disappointing for her fans, her positive outlook and acknowledgment of the support from the crowd at Eastbourne highlight her character as an athlete. As she prepares to defend her Wimbledon title next Tuesday on Centre Court, fans will be eager to see her return to top form.