“I’m 30, I’m not getting younger”: Barbora Krejcikova’s honest admission after nine-match winning streak ends
WTASunday, 26 July 2026 at 08:30
Barbora Krejcikova’s impressive run came to an end in emotional fashion at the Prague Open, but the two-time Grand Slam champion left the tournament with plenty of positives after pushing herself through an exhausting stretch of tennis.
The Czech star arrived at her home tournament after winning the Athens Open title and carrying significant momentum, but her body eventually showed the effects of a demanding schedule. Krejcikova played her ninth match in just 12 days before falling in the Prague semifinals, losing a dramatic three-set battle against 18-year-old Austrian Lilly Tagger.
After two hours and 50 minutes, Tagger prevailed 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(4), ending Krejcikova’s eight-match winning streak and denying her a place in the final in front of the home crowd. Despite the defeat, the former world No. 2 accepted the result with perspective, admitting that fatigue played a major role during the match.
“Unfortunately, I’m old. I’m 30 years old, and it’s not getting better, I’m not going to get younger,” Krejcikova joked after the match according to Idnes.cz. “I have to slow down a little bit, but I couldn’t. Same as in the previous matches. I gave everything for the morale, point by point. I kept trying, I fought with all my strength. It just didn’t work.”
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Krejcikova fights until the final point in Prague
The Czech player’s physical struggle was visible throughout the semifinal, especially during the longest exchanges when she repeatedly leaned forward and took deep breaths between points.
However, Krejcikova praised the atmosphere created by the home fans, explaining that their support was one of the reasons she continued fighting until the end.
“I’m especially happy for the spectators because they were there cheering for me, and even when they saw that I couldn’t, they kept pushing me and supporting me,” she said. “I wanted to get the victory for them, but unfortunately it wasn’t possible.”
Barbora Krejcikvoa at 2025 US Open
The 30-year-old also highlighted the quality of her opponent, praising Tagger’s maturity and all-around game after the teenager secured the biggest victory of her career.
“I was surprised how well she served. She also moved well,” Krejcikova said. “She tried to dominate the match, she’s skilled, she can mix it with a slice... From what I saw in her preparation, she is definitely a very committed player.”
Tagger’s victory completed a breakthrough week in Prague, while Krejcikova’s run represented another encouraging sign after a difficult period affected by injuries and inconsistent results.
Barbora Krejcikova’s 8-match winning streak
| Tournament | Round | Opponent | Opponent Ranking | Score |
| Athens Open | R32 | Viktoriya Tomova | No. 207 | 6-3, 6-3 |
| Athens Open | R16 | Carole Monnet | No. 205 | 6-0, 6-2 |
| Athens Open | QF | Qinwen Zheng | No. 135 | 6-4, 6-4 |
| Athens Open | SF | Clara Tauson | No. 30 | 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 |
| Athens Open | Final | Maria Sakkari | No. 37 | 7-6(5), 6-3 |
| Prague Open | R32 | Linda Fruhvirtová | No. 180 | 6-2, 6-4 |
| Prague Open | R16 | Lucie Havlíčková | No. 226 | 6-4, 6-2 |
| Prague Open | QF | Dominika Šalková | No. 127 | 6-3, 6-3 |
| Prague Open | SF | Lilli Tagger | No. 74 | 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(4) |
Krejcikova turns attention toward North American swing
After her demanding European stretch, Krejcikova confirmed that she will now take some time away from tennis before preparing for the hard-court season in North America.
“We can plan anything, but if it happens… In tennis, the best thing is to go day by day,” she explained. “Now I’m taking a break, I’m looking forward to getting away from tennis.”
The Czech admitted she plans to enjoy simple moments away from competition, including spending time with her dog and maintaining her fitness routine before returning to the court. “I probably won’t play tennis, but I’ll definitely keep my exercise routine,” she said.
Krejcikova is scheduled to return to North America as she looks to build on the confidence gained from her recent title run in Athens and semifinal appearance in Prague. The former Australian Open and Wimbledon champion will now aim to carry that momentum into the biggest part of the hard-court season.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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