Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova gives injury update after pulling out of tournament

Reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova is hoping to be ready for her title defence after pulling out of this week's WTA 250 event in Eastbourne with a thigh injury. The world No. 16 saved multiple match points to beat British stars Harriet Dart and Jodie Burrage, then withdrew hours before her quarter-final on Thursday.

Krejcikova has a tough test in her first match back at the All England Club, taking on teenage sensation and Eastbourne runner-up Alexandra Eala. Ahead of their match, the Czech star said: "I hope by Tuesday everything's going to be fine."

The 29-year-old has had plenty of injury issues in recent months. Between November and May, she did not compete at all due to a back injury, and then a thigh issue forced her to abandon her Eastbourne run.

Speaking for the first time since her withdrawal earlier this week, Krejcikova explained: "I had to have a couple days off where I didn't really play any tennis, but I did some off-court stuff. I've been feeling every day a little bit better, so I'm really happy with that.

"I hope by Tuesday everything's going to be fine. Yeah, I hope I'm going to have a nice match and a great tournament."

The two-time Major winner returns to Wimbledon relatively undercooked after being sidelined for six months. But her time away from the court hasn't changed her mindset.

"It's definitely not difficult. It's actually very, very nice to be here and very nice to play, even after all the time I was out," she added.

"So I'm enjoying it. I'm happy to be here. I find it tough, complicated, but I don't find it difficult. Yeah, I'm looking forward very much to play on Tuesday."

Krejcikova still has fond memories of her run to the title here last year, where she beat Jasmine Paolini in the championship match.

"The whole day was great. Saturday was great. Sunday was great. Everything was amazing. It was like a fairy tale," she recalled.

"Very tough to say [one thing that stands out]. Maybe winning the match point and looking at the box. Maybe that's something, yeah. Very special.

"I couldn't really believe that they are giving [the trophy] to me. So yeah, that was I think what was going through my mind at that moment."

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