Tennis fans are sending messages of support to Barbora Krejcikova and hoping she’s fit for the Australian Open after worrying scenes in Hobart on Monday. A two-time grand slam singles champion and five-time Australian Open doubles champ, the 30-year-old suffered a 4-6 6-1 6-7 (4-7) loss to World No.67 Peyton Stearns at the Hobart International in which a lingering knee issue flared up.
The World No.55, who has reached as high as No.2 in singles and No.1 in doubles, spent several months on the sidelines in 2025 due to the injury, but said at the United Cup last week it was feeling much better. However she had to call a medical timeout on Monday and appeared to be in tears as she spoke to a trainer.
Barbora Krejcikova appeared to be in tears. (AAP Image/Chris Kidd)
Wearing a brace on her left knee, the former Wimbledon and French Open singles champion looked hampered by the injury in concerning scenes just days out from the Australian Open. The Czech player reached the singles quarter-finals at Melbourne Park in 2022 and 2024, but missed the grand slam in 2025 due to a back injury.
Barbora Krejcikova suffered a flare-up of a lingering knee injury. Image: AAP
The 30-year-old won the French Open in 2021 and then lifted the trophy at Wimbledon in 2024. She’s also won 10 grand slam doubles titles (seven in women’s and three in mixed), including Australian Open titles in 2019, 2020 and 2021 in mixed, and 2022 and 2023 in women’s. But her progress has been derailed by injury over the last 12 months.
She didn’t answer questions about her knee after Monday’s loss, but said she was looking forward to the Australian Open. “I think I’ve played the most matches I’ve ever played at the beginning of a year. So I’m really happy with that,” she said.
Venus Williams buoyant despite first-up loss in Hobart
Elsewhere on Monday, American legend Venus Williams lost 4-6 3-6 to fellow veteran Tatjana Maria in the first round in Hobart. The 45-year-old Williams is set to play the Australian Open for the first time in five years after receiving a wildcard.
She’ll become the oldest woman ever to play in the singles comp at Melbourne Park, and on Monday the combined age of 83 between Williams and Maria was the highest for a match in WTA history. The 38-year-old Maria got the chocolates, but Williams said she was happy with the hit-out despite tricky conditions.
“The crowd was amazing. Usually I play a really big game and it’s fun to watch,” Williams said. “I felt I couldn’t play that with the wind. I felt bad I wasn’t able to give that performance I usually give. I was in control until I wasn’t.
“I just need to keep going and doing that and earn my stripes. I’ve been away a while. So exciting. I can’t wait (to return to the Australian Open). I’ll take what I need to learn from this and keep going.”