Defending Wimbledon champion opens up on 'tough few months' after first-round scare

Defending women's champion Barbora Krejcikova avoided a huge scare to avoid giving up her Wimbledon crown at the first time of asking. The Czech star let out a huge roar after coming from being to beat Alexandra Eala and book a place in the second round.

Krejcikova looked out of sorts from the beginning and lost the first set 3-6 to rising Philippines star Eala. Just two defending women's champions have exited the first round since the start of the Open era in 1968.

But world No.17 dug deep to avoid becoming the third, battling back to take control of the match and win the next two sets 6-2, 6-1.

Krejcikova missed the first five months of 2025 with a back injury, and had to withdraw from the Eastbourne quarter-finals, citing a thigh injury.

But she is delighted to be back at Wimbledon with the chance to defend her title.

She said: "It's been a tough few months because of injuries, so it feels really special to get the chance come back to Wimbledon as defending champion."

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