To win you must forget the perfect game. Word of Barbora Krejčíková

Your mentor and coach was for years the late champion Jana Novotna, whom you remembered during the Wimbledon award ceremony: what was her most important teaching? Jana was, and still is, an important part of my tennis and my career. She guided me from juniors to the pro ranks. One of her teachings that comes to mind is: in tennis you don't have to play well, you have to win. When I was young I wanted my game to be perfect, but in the end, if I lost, it didn't matter.

La tennista durante la finale di Wimbledon 2024, vinta in tre set contro l’italiana Jasmine Paolini.

Then you won both Roland Garros and Wimbledon... I never believed that I could win Roland Garros. At the end of 2020 I had finally entered the top 100 and I was already happy about that. Then I found myself in the main draw, beating players higher ranked than me and somehow, one Saturday in June 2021 I was in Paris with the trophy in my hand, probably without fully realising what I had done.

Con il trofeo del prestigioso torneo inglese. EPA/ADAM VAUGHAN EDITORIAL USE ONLY

And at Wimbledon 2024? I was not having a great time. I was often injured, I was not playing the tennis I wanted to play and, of course, I was not getting the results I wanted either. Then once I got to Wimbledon something clicked. The first two rounds, with difficult opponents, were very helpful. I did not have high expectations, but simply tried to play my best and give my opponents a hard time. Day after day, I made it to the final of one of the most important trophies in tennis.

How did you feel one second after this victory (2 sets to 1 against Italian Jasmine Paolini, ndr.)? Joy, happiness and a huge relief when I saw the ball of her reply fly away and the match was effectively over. Not even in my dreams did I think I could win Wimbledon. A victory that also had a special meaning because of Jana (she passed away in 2017, ndr.).

You have won on so many different surfaces. Which one do you prefer? All of them! I adapt and always want to improve. As a child I trained a lot on clay, then with time I had to understand how to move on concrete. On grass at Wimbledon I didn't expect to play so well.

What are the secrets to winning in doubles as well? Communication, strategy and the correct matching of your style to that of your partner.

Tennis is a demanding sport both mentally and physically. How do you manage to keep both at the top? Training to be fit in a season that, when complete, lasts almost nine months is a challenge. Mentally it is difficult to be constantly ready for every tournament, some of which are compulsory. I try to give my best at every opportunity. If you love a sport and strive for perfection, you will always want to go back and try a shot that you may have missed in the past

This year you had to deal with an injury that kept you off the court for a long time. What kind of period was it? New and difficult to deal with. I had never stopped for so long. I can't make any predictions, but I have the feeling that in the future it could help me both physically and mentally to achieve a better shape and game.

Molto legato al tennis, Rado ha realizzato il Captain Cook x Tennis in edizione limitata a 1985 esemplari. Cassa in acciaio e movimento automatico. Costa 3 mila euro.

You are part of the Rado family, a brand with a long tradition in the world of tennis. How do you experience this partnership? I am very happy to be linked to such a prestigious brand that has important ambassadors and collaborates with a great tournament like Gstaad.

What do you like best about his watches? I like the way they are made, the design and, in particular, the materials used. Like ceramic: the feel of these types of models is unique.

What is your relationship with time, in tennis and in your personal life? In tennis you want time to run fast: the better you play, the faster you can win, and the more time and energy you save for the next match. In life, of course, it is the opposite and the philosophical meaning of time extends to our daily behaviour, from human relationships to traffic or simply the pleasure of having a good dinner.

Besides tennis, what other passions do you have? As if the travels I do for tennis weren't enough, I really enjoy exploring new countries. Tennis life doesn't allow you to have much time to walk around and get lost in a city. When I can, I do it, but I plan to do it much longer when I stop. Another hobby that I enjoy and distracts me from the daily routine is Lego. My last work was a Mona Lisa... I still haven't managed to see the original in the Louvre! Then I try to spend as much time as possible with my family and my dog Foxik.