Even the greatest on the circuit is being tested at the 2025 Wimbledon; such has been the story so far. It doesn’t matter if you are the defending Champion, because the competition is fierce. And having Emma Navarro on the other side of the net makes the equation all the more difficult. That was exactly the case for Barbora Krejcikova, for whom the moment got too big as she tried to delay the inevitable. But in a touching gesture, the spectators helped her get through it, showing that beauty always prevails in sport. So, what exactly happened in the big 3rd round match?

The Tennis Letter shared a tweet from the match between Emma Navarro and 2024 Champion Krejcikova, played on July 5th. It read, “Barbora Krejcikova looking very emotional at the back of the court before serving to stay in the match against Emma Navarro at Wimbledon. The crowd cheers & gets behind her. The reigning champion… this tournament means so much to her.”

The Czech international started well against her American opponent, grabbing the first set 6-2. But then, Navarro started her comeback, overwhelming the 29-year-old. At one point, Krejcikova couldn’t fight back her tears as she stood against the green barricades, trying to collect herself. It was at 3-5, third set, as she had to hold her serve to keep the match alive.

She tried her best, and the fans at the court knew that. Because the 2-time Grand Slam Champion was braving injury issues to try to become the first woman after 2016 to retain the Wimbledon Championship. It’s sad, this game. Champions go up against one another where only one can be the winner. So, while Krejcikova was breaking down under the impact of immense pain and the impending outcome that would deny her the cherished dream, the spectators at the No. 1 Court made sure to applaud the fighting spirit of the Czech International and show her support during a difficult time.

Meanwhile, Emma Navarro will continue her charge for a Wimbledon title. Although she also showed class in acknowledging the struggles of her opponent. And that’s why tennis is a dignified sport.

Emma Navarro talks about the game and her ‘amazing’ opponent

Following the game, the 24-year-old American laid bare her views on how the match went. “Probably neither of us played our best tennis,” Navarro told the interviewer, “And I know she was dealing with some injuries at times, and I was dealing with whatever I was dealing with over there.” Well, if anything, Krejcikova’s injury left her in a dilemma, as she shared with ESPN. “Part of you is telling yourself, ‘Just put a bunch of balls in the court, and that’s all you have to do.’ But then, she’s an amazing player, injuries or no injuries. So that’s not good enough.”

And she wasn’t wrong. Barbora Krejcikova had to take a break after the 2nd set. She took a medical timeout midway through the 3rd set. The trainer came and checked her blood pressure as she struggled for fitness. But still the World No. 17 was able to break back to tie the third set 3-3. The game was an amazing spectacle for the fans, which was eventually decided by Krejcikova’s struggles.

The Czech International hit 34 winners, in comparison to Navarro’s 13. But Barbora Krejcikova also made 53 unforced errors, compared to Navarro’s 11. Maybe it could have gone differently if the 2021 French Open Champion didn’t have the injury challenges that she had been dealing with all season. A valiant effort, for which Krejcikova can hold her head high. Meanwhile, Emma Navarro gets ready to face Mira Andreeva’s challenge. Follow the Championships in real-time with EssentiallySports’ Live Blog updates.