What it means:
Billie Jean King is the last person to reach the Wimbledon final unseeded (which occurred before the open era) and Vondrousova is the first ever to win it unseeded. What a story, what a moment.
Vondrousova said: “I don’t know what is happening, it is an amazing feeling. Ons congratulations, you are such an inspiration for us. I hope you win some day, you are an amazing person. After everything I have been through it is amazing I can stand here and hold this. Tennis is crazy! The comebacks aren’t easy you don’t know what to expect, I was hoping I could get back to this level and now this is happening. Thank you to my box, my little sister she is crying! I mean it is amazing, tomorrow is our first wedding anniversary. It’s great to have you guys here, I enjoyed the two weeks so much. I am so grateful and proud of myself. I made a bet with my coach, if I won a grand slam he was going to get a tattoo too – I think we are going to go tomorrow! I think I am going to have some beer, it was an exhausting few weeks. Thank you guys for the support!”
Jabeur said: “I will try to speak because this is very tough. I think this is the most painful loss of my career. first I want to say congratulations to Marketa and her team for this amazing tournament. You are an amazing player and I know you had a lot of injuries so I am very happy for you. It is going to be a tough day today for me. I am not going to give up and I will come back stronger. It’s amazing tournament for me, I want to thank my team for always believing in me. We are going to make it one day, I promise you. Thank you guys for coming, thank you for cheering for me. I really appreciate your support, it has been a tough journey but that is tennis. I promise I’ll come back one day and win this tournament.”
Vondrosova then collects her trophy, she waves and walks to get the title. A year ago she was watching as a fan after wrist surgery. 12 months later she is champion.
Here’s Jabeur. She waves to the crowd and looks emotional as she walks to collect her trophy. She is consoled by the Princess of Wales and then starts to cry and she lifts her trophy. The crowd give a deafening roar to the star.
The trophy presentation has begun. The Princess of Wales has been welcomed onto court and is greeting some of the ball people.
Vondrousova heads up to her box so she can celebrate with her loved ones. They embrace her as the crows cheers, her first slam title and what a way to do it. She blew the sixth seed away after being on the back foot in the first set. I am absolutely stunned!
Vondrousova is on her knees in tears, she rises and applauds the crowd. Her family are in floods of tears. Jabeur looks furious with herself in her seat. Yet again she has to watch her opponent lift the title. This is her third slam final.
VONDROUSOVA WINS! Upset complete, first unseeded player to win. HEre’s how the last game played out: Vondrousova is four points away from her first slam title and she gets the first with Jabeur making yet another error. A drop shot puts her within two shots and her sister has started to cry here with the anticipation of her winning! Jabeur again isn’t on her best form and Vondrousova now has three championship points. She doesn’t get it the first time of asking with a double fault but she does the second time!
Vondrousova breaks and will serve for the title! Vondrousova *6-4, 5-4 Jabeur (*denotes the next server)
Jabeur hits the net, the pressure again creeping into her game. A smash volley from the sixth seed receives a huge roar from the crowd. The Tunisian makes yet another error – I think her 27th of the match – but has a good drop shot to level it 30-30. But Jabeur forces out and Vondrousova has break point. And she gets it! She is serving for the Wimbledon title!
Vondrousova 6-4, 4-4* Jabeur (*denotes the next server)
Vondrousova’s serve is a good one with Jabeur’s return out. Another unreturnable serve puts the Czech 30-0 up but then she hits out. A great forehand winner from Vondrousova and Jabeur hits out to level the set.
Vondrousova *6-4, 3-4 Jabeur (*denotes the next server)
A backhand winner, the weapon recharged for Jabeur starts this one. But she follows it up with an error, Vondrousova doing so well to take charge of this match. The Tunisian hits it out but Vondrousova then makes an error – 30-30. The Czech player then can’t return the serve to give Jabeur the opportunity to hold and she does!
Is anyone else as stunned by this final as me? I thought Vondrousova would give Jabeur a great game but I thought Jabeur would be a dominant winner.
Vondrousova 6-4, 3-3* Jabeur (*denotes the next server)
Jabeur’s error starts this game and another follows it up, she is hitting too long or hitting the net at the moment. Double fault from Vondrousova and that is amazing! Cat-like reflexes from both players in a spectacular rally but it’s Jabeur who gets the point – 30-30. Jabeur challenges an out call but it stands, 40-30. And Vondrousova holds.
Vondrousova breaks again! Vondrousova *6-4, 2-3 Jabeur (*denotes the next server)
Jabeur’s backhand is so unpredictable, sometimes a lethal weapon and others being an error-maker. Vondrousova quickly races to a 30-0 up but Jabeur’s backhand becomes a weapon again with a great winner. Vondrousova’s drop shot hits the net and then Jabeur can’t return, the Czech player has break point. And she gets it! The twists and turns in this final.
Jabeur breaks! Vondrousova 6-4, 1-3* Jabeur (*denotes the next server)
Jabeur challenges an out call to start the game but the call stands, Vondrousova then can’t return a backhand. The Czech star then makes an error but she hits back with a great drop shot. Jabeur has break point after another Vondrousova error and she does it! Gregory has emailed and said: “I don’t think she [Jabeur] got a single one [first serve] in during that first game she was broken and everything unraveled from there. But she has such an amazing ability to shrug off a rough opening set.” Yeah the serve was a bit shaky but she has found her feet again in this second set.
Vondrousova *6-4, 1-2 Jabeur (*denotes the next server)
Vondrousova’s return is out and an ace from Jabeur but hang on, the Czech player challenges and it is out! A forehand winner sees Jabeur 30-0 up and Vondrousova makes an error – the sixth seed getting back a grip here. And she holds! That is important for Jabeur, a final on our hands.
Jabeur breaks back! Vondrousova 6-4, 1-1* Jabeur (*denotes the next server)
Jabeur can’t return the serve and then Vondrousova hits a great shot. The Czech player has all the momentum right now. The Tunisian can’t return again but then Vondrousova has an unforced error – 40-15. That is delicious!! What a lovely backhand winner from Jabeur. And she follows it up with a forehand winner! Deuce. Double fault gifts Jabeur a break point but she can’t covert, back to deuce. A forehand winner again from Jabeur – another break point – and she breaks! WHAT A FINAL.
Vondrousova breaks! Vondrousova *6-4, 1-0 Jabeur (*denotes the next server)
Jabeur runs to the net to return but it doesn’t make it over, it feels as though she needs a smooth game to settle herself. The sixth seed then hit out, the crowd cheer loudly to encourage her. Vondrousova slips and Jabeur is on the board, then the unseeded star hits out – 30-30. Jabeur makes another error and she gifts Vondrousova break point. The fans get behind Jabeur once again and Vondrousova break! Wow, an upset indeed.
There were five breaks in that first set! When Jabeur first broke Vondrousova I thought this first set would be wrapped up quickly but the unseeded star has settled. But remember Jabeur is the comeback queen!
VONDROUSOVA WINS THE FIRST SET! Jabeur makes an error and hits the net again to see Vondrousova 30-0 up. A backhand is out from Jabeur and she wins the first set. Wow, how this first set started you would not believe it.
Vondrousova breaks and will serve for the set! Vondrousova *5-4 Jabeur (*denotes the next server)
Vondrousova wins the first point but Jabeur’s backhand winner comes into play to level it 15-15. The sixth seed hits the net and she thinks she was going to hit a great shot but it’s out, break point! And she gets it first time of asking. WOW! An upset is on the cards.
Vondrousova 4-4* Jabeur (*denotes the next server)
The players exchange points in the eighth game and Vondrousova gets the upperhand with a good forehand shot. Jabeur then has an error and is on the edge of holding. And an unreturnable serve sees her hold! VoiceOfTheMysterons has tweeted me and said: “Have just joined the final and am surprised to find McEnroe on commentary, presumably NBC or whoever think they’ve got someone better. Will be interesting to see where he ends up tomorrow.” I think Chris Evert is on the American coverage and McEnroe will likely be back for the men’s final tomorrow.
Vondrousova breaks back again! Vondrousova *3-4 Jabeur (*denotes the next server)
Jabeur hits the net and then she has too much on her serve – it is whenever she has an advantage she lets some errors creep in. This time Jabeur could do nothing about that, a beautiful winner from Vondrousova. And the Czech player sums up the break – WOW!
Jabeur breaks again! Vondrousova 2-4* Jabeur (*denotes the next server)
A backhand winner from Jabeur and Vondrousova comes close to the net for the next point, her shot is out though with Jabeur 30-0 up. The sixth seed wins the next for break point, the momentum could shift again here. Vondrousova pushes her shot out, the break again!
A slight break as the players re-fuel and BettyStovesEyes has tweeted me about the dress debate saying: “The dress? Mint Aero.” I would say a shade lighter but I agree with the green.
Vondrousova *2-3 Jabeur (*denotes the next server)
Jabeur starts her service with a forehand winner, Vondrousova runs to return Jabeur’s drop shot but she can’t quite get to it! Groans around the court. An ace gives Jabeur 40-0 but vondrousova follows it up with a well read return on the drop shot this time, she waited until Jabeur made her run to direct her shot. A forehand winner sees Jabeur hold.
Vondrousova 2-2* Jabeur (*denotes the next server)
John McEnroe says Jabeur has now allowed Vondrousova to settle into this final as we head into the fourth game. Jabeur wins the first point but bends in disbelief as she makes an error next. Jabeur then punches her thigh and shouts in frustration as she hits the net – errors creeping into her game. The longest rally yet ends in a delightful backhand from Jabeur, 30-30. Vondrousova then hits the net to give Jabeur break point but she opts for a drop shot which hits the net – to deuce. Jabeur has the second break point of the game after Vondrousova can’t return but she cannot convert it again with a backhand colliding with the net. But again the sixth seed has break point with a pin point forehand winner. Again Vondrousova saves the break but gives away another cheaply – Jabeur’s fourth of the game. Wow, her return is out. This game doesn’t want to end! Vondrousova reads play really well to get advantage and she holds! Huge.
Vondrousova breaks back! Vondrousova *1-2 Jabeur (*denotes the next server)
Jabeur hits a clever shot but then makes an unforced error. Vondrousova, who is finding her feet in her first Wimbledon final, hits the net and Jabeur then makes a winner. She was on the edge of holding but hits the net and then Vondrousova makes a great forehand which sees Jabeur’s return out – deuce we go. Vondrousova gets break point as Jabeur hits the net – a huge moment here! Jabeur ushers her opponent around the court and hits a beautiful volley to take us back to deuce. A forehand winner gives Jabeur advantage, she goes for a similar shot again but this time it is out – 40-40 once more. Jabeur’s serve was called out and she challenges again but the call was correct, second serve which is successful but then she hits the net! Break point once again and Vondrousova does it!
Jabeur breaks! Vondrousova 0-2* Jabeur (*denotes the next server)
Jabeur hits the net but follows it up with a great forehand to see it 15-15. A great overhead winner for Jabeur next and she gets the next point for an early break point. She doesn’t get it the first time of asking as she hits the net but she doesn’t have to be asked twice! Carrie has also got in touch for the dress debate and says “it’s pistachio green!” I agree, love the specificity!
Vondrousova *0-1 Jabeur (*denotes the next server)
Jabeur to serve first but Vondrousova wins the first point with a perfectly waited long shot. The Tunisian levels the game but then makes an unforced error. Jabeur hits a lovely backhand winner and we’re 30-30. Jabeur’s serve was called out but she challenged and won – it’s in but it was the first serve so no point. Vondrousova can’t return the next two serves and Jabeur holds.
Wimbledon title on the line. History to be decided. The 2023 final is about to begin …
Both players are out, they are both wearing headphones but with that cheer it would be near impossible not to hear the crowd. The fans are prepped, the players are ready to go. The warm-up to come and then the final.
The players are waiting in the wings to come out on centre court. The roof is closed and so rain delays should not be a feature of this final. We are just minutes away from this epic battle.
Vondrousova is in the Wimbledon final without any sponsors, her contract with her former sponsor ended at the end of 2022. I can guess she may have a few offers no matter the outcome today …
Now there has been some debate over the colour of the Princess of Wales’ dress, she will be presenting the trophy to the winner of the final this afternoon. I think it’s green but others are saying yellow, what are your thoughts? Let me know.
The favourite to win this final is Jabeur but can Vondrousova cause upset? We’ll find out soon!
Vondrousova has said: “I have a bet with my coach. If I win a grand slam, he’s going to get one [a tattoo], so I hope I will. I mean, we’ll see what happens and what I’ll do. For me, it’s also art. I don’t know, I just like it. I appreciate the people that do this.”
Jabeur said ahead of the final: “I think a final is a final. You’re playing someone, grand slam champion or not. I think it’s going to be very difficult. It can happen for both. Whoever could handle more the emotions, whoever could be more ready on the court, will definitely win that match.” Read the full piece:
Sixth seed Jabeur herself would make history too – not only as she would win Wimbledon for the first time but because she would be the first African or Arab woman to win the title.
What experience do both players have in slam finals? Well we know Jabeur was in the 2022 Wimbledon final but she was also in the US Open final last year – she is yet to win her first slam title. Vondrousova also has final experience behind her. She reached the 2019 French Open final but was beaten by Ashleigh Barty. So whoever wins today will achieve the dream of a first slam title.
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Czech player Vondrousova got through the first three rounds in straight sets against Peyton Stearns, Veronika Kudermetova and Donna Vekic respectively. She faced Marie Bouzkova in the round of 16 and she lost the first set but managed to salvage a comeback to reach the quarters. In the last eight Vondrousova played Jessica Pegula – another match that went the distance – and in the semis she face Elina Svitolina. She dominated the semi 6-3, 6-3 to reach the final.
Tunisia’s Jabeur got through the first and second round in straight sets against Magdalena Frech and Zhuoxuan Bai respectively. In the third round she faced a tight battle and had to stage a comeback against Bianca Andresscu – eventually coming away with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win. Jabeur blew Petra Kvitova away in the round of 16 with a 6-0, 6-3 victory and the quarter-final saw a repeat of last year’s final. Rybakina won the first set after a tie break but Jabeur came back once more to get through to the semi-finals. In the last four she lost the first set again against Aryna Sabalenka but managed to get the win to reach the final in consecutive years.
Hello and welcome to the women’s singles final at Wimbledon! Ons Jabeur will be aiming to avenge her final loss last year when she fell to defeat over three sets to Elena Rybakina.
This year she faces Marketa Vondrousova is the first unseeded player to reach the women’s final in the open era. If she wins she will make more history as the first unseeded player to lift the women’s trophy. Vondrousova faces tough opposition in Jabeur though and also a fan favourite.
It will be interesting to see which way the Wimbledon crowd will swing today, though they do usually route for the player on the back foot! Next I’ll run through each player’s run to the final ahead of the start of the final – which is scheduled for 2pm BST.
Are you ready for another epic final? So am I! Let’s go.
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