Barbora Krejcikova is set to make a long-awaited return to action at Roland Garros, where she will not only defend her maiden major singles title but also play her first match since the Middle East Swing, having missed the last three months due to an elbow injury.
When the world No. 2 does take the court, the Czech star will be looking a little different, decked out in the latest from Fila after signing with the apparel company this spring.
"It is an honor to step onto the court and represent a brand with such an iconic history in the game," said Krejcikova. "I am grateful to Fila for the support and the opportunity to join the elite group of athletes who have worn the brand."
Krejcikova’s addition to Fila’s team means the brand will once again have representation among the WTA’s Top 2 after Ashleigh Barty announced her retirement in March.
"Barbora has made incredible strides to elevate her game over the last few seasons," said Gene Yoon, Fila’s global chairman. "Her rise to a Top 5 ranked player in singles and doubles has been both impressive and inspiring, as she has worked to cement herself among WTA's top stars. We are thrilled to welcome Barbora to the Fila family, as we continue our legacy of sponsoring champions on and off the court."
The Czech star enjoyed a dream 2021 season, highlighted by her singles and doubles sweep of Roland Garros but also included a quarterfinal finish at the US Open and singles debut at the WTA Finals in Guadalajara.
Throughout that year—and through the start of this year—Krejcikova wore Head, a rare apparel choice despite its popularity as a racquet brand. Tennis fans often noted the diversity of Head’s clothing options, which, on Krejcikova, ranged from white and navy to navy and white. Her 2022 Australian Open kit was more of the same, save for an enigmatic orange stripe across the top.
Fila, by contrast, is known for taking more sartorial risks, including its nod to Evonne Goolagong’s 70s-era kit when dressing Barty for her 2021 Wimbledon run, or Karolina Pliskova’s stars-and-stripes theme when she played the 2018 US Open.
Debuting her first Fila outfit on Instagram, Krejcikova boasted her signature white and navy with a welcome pop of color, which will likely be a growing trend as her Fila repertoire expands through the season.
