LONDON — Defending Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcíková will step into the All England Club this week carrying both the weight of expectation and a lingering injury concern, yet the Czech appears utterly unfazed by either.

Days after withdrawing from the Eastbourne Open with a thigh injury, Krejcíková seemed calmly assured for someone who defied the odds at Wimbledon last year when she stunned Grand Slam champions en route to the title as the 31st seed.

Krejcíková has had limited preparation after a back injury sidelined her for six months, playing six matches since her return in May.

“It’s definitely not difficult (returning as defending champion). It’s actually very, very nice to be here and very nice to play, even after all the time I was out,” Krejcíková told reporters on Sunday.

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

“It’s basically a new tournament, even though I won it last year and I have great memories for this one. I want to come here and do well again. The preparation is the same, I’ve been working really hard to come back and to enjoy this position.”

Krejcíková’s first-round opponent is Alexandra “Alex” Eala, the 20-year-old Filipino who announced herself by stunning Iga Swiatek to reach the semi-finals at the Miami Open in March before reaching the Eastbourne final.

“I don’t really know that much about her yet because she’s obviously a young player, an upcoming player and one of the players of the new generation,” Krejcíková said.

“But I saw some rallies, I saw some matches. I know that she was doing quite well in the first half of the year, so I’m looking forward. It’s going to be a great matchup. I’m looking forward to playing her to see where the young generation is.” — Reuters

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