Defending Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova broke down in tears at the back of Court One moments before being knocked out of the tournament.
The 29-year-old was bidding to defend her Wimbledon title after her surprise win at the All England Club 12 months ago.
Krejcikova made a superb start to her third-round clash with Emma Navarro, taking the first set 6-2 before starting to struggle with injury issues.
The doctor and physio were called in the third set after American Navarro levelled the match, with nine-time champion Martina Navratilova insisting ‘something was not right’ with the defending champion.
‘Both the trainer and the doctor are involved here,’ she said on BBC Two. ‘They are taking her blood pressure.
‘It is just disappointing when your body doesn’t quite give you what you need from it. Something is not right for Barbora Krejcikova here.’
Krejcikova was struggling with a thigh injury in the run-up to Wimbledon and it may have been that issue that was preventing the Czech from producing her best tennis.
When it was time for Krejcikova to serve to stay in the match, she broke down in tears behind the base-line, leaning on the back of the court for support.
With most of Court One behind her, she was able to compose herself to hold serve but Navarro clinched a 2-6 6-3 6-4 victory in the next service game.
Krejcikova’s tears returned as she made her way off court and responded to the crowd who gave her a deserved send-off.
‘What a great effort from Emma Navarro,’ Navratilova added. ‘She got the job done and that’s all that matters in the end. Navarro is the deserving winner in this match.’
Speaking in her on-court interview, Navarro said she found the match ‘really tough’, especially as her opponent was clearly struggling.
The 10th seed said: ‘It was really tough out here today. Probably neither of us played our best tennis.
‘I know she was dealing with some injuries at times and I was dealing with whatever I was dealing with over there. It was really tough today.
‘I’m so grateful to be playing here at Wimbledon. I have to remind myself how special of an opportunity this is when I am out here. It’s not easy but it means the most of me to play the sport I love in front of you guys at the most prestigious tournament so it is awesome to be here.’
Asked about Krejcikova’s struggles, the American added: ‘It’s really not easy, part of you is telling yourself to just put a bunch of balls into the court and that’s all you have to do but she is an amazing player, injuries or no injuries.
‘It’s not an easy challenge for sure. After losing the first set I was able to serve a bit better and gain a little bit of traction on my return games.
‘I was able to play a few more scrappy points and get a few more balls back into the court.’
Navarro, 24, will face 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva for a place in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon.
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