Tennis isn’t just about forehands and backhands — it’s also a game of nerves, heartbreak, and raw emotion.
That was all on full display as Harriet Dart gave it her all in Eastbourne, only to be edged out in a nail-biting three-setter by world number two and reigning Wimbledon champ, Barbora Krejcikova.
A Frustrating Afternoon on the South Coast
The 28-year-old British player was clearly desperate for a confidence-boosting run ahead of Wimbledon, especially after a tough grass-court season that’s been short on wins.
Just last week, she made an early exit in Nottingham, falling in the first round to fellow Brit Fran Jones.
So, coming into Eastbourne, Dart had her sights set on a better result.
But things got off to a shaky start. The opening set was riddled with rain delays, and Dart quickly found herself on the back foot against the powerful Krejcikova.
Battling Back in Blustery Conditions
To her credit, Dart didn’t back down. She regrouped and showed real grit in the second set, especially during a tense tiebreak.
The wind on Centre Court wasn’t doing either player any favours, and Krejcikova seemed to struggle in the gusty conditions.
Dart took full advantage and evened things up, sending the match into a deciding third set.
And it looked like she might just pull off an upset.
Dart broke early and even served for the match.
But when it mattered most, she couldn’t close the deal. Krejcikova broke back at 5-5, flipping the pressure back onto Dart.
A Raw and Emotional Finish
What followed was one of the most emotional moments of the match.
After missing a crucial shot, Dart let out a loud cry that startled the crowd into a moment of awkward laughter, followed by supportive applause.
You could see just how much the moment meant to her — she wiped away tears while waiting to return serve.
At the next change of ends, Dart draped her towel over her head, trying to collect herself.
But despite her efforts to rally, Krejcikova stayed solid and eventually closed out the match 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 7-5.
Anger at the End and a Wimbledon Wild Card
Clearly heartbroken, Dart didn’t hide her frustration.
As soon as the match ended, she smacked a ball hard into the court, then offered Krejcikova a stiff handshake.
On her way off court, she exchanged what looked like some heated words with her coaching team.
Despite the loss, there’s still a silver lining. Dart has been granted a wild card into this year’s Wimbledon, giving her another chance to turn things around on home turf.
She’ll be looking to go further than last year, when she made it to the third round before being knocked out by Wang Xinyu.
A Reminder of Dart’s Fighting Spirit
It’s worth remembering that Dart has shown she can dig deep when it counts.
In last year’s all-British second-round clash against Katie Boulter, she broke down in tears during a tense third-set tiebreak — only to bounce back and take the win.
This latest loss will sting, no doubt. But if there’s one thing Dart has proven, it’s that she plays with heart.
And with Wimbledon just around the corner, all eyes will be on whether she can channel that emotion into something special on the big stage.