Motivated Muchova a major threat

As news of Karolina Muchova’s win over Maria Sakkari made ripples around Roland-Garros on Day 1, it came with a caveat: ‘Was it really an upset?’

It’s no disrespect to Sakkari, No.8 seed and former semi-finalist here: Muchova is perhaps the most dangerous “floater” in women’s tennis, and in particular at the majors. Her win on Sunday marked an eighth over a top-10 foe, with five of those upsets coming on the Grand Slam stage.

“The motivation is bigger here at the majors,” said 26-year-old Muchova, who will take on former semi-finalist Nadia Podoroska in the second round on Wednesday.

“There's no secret. These [are] the biggest tournaments... I'm trying to play the best against top seeds to get back my ranking as well, because I think I could be seeded at the Grand Slams.”

The current world No. 43 has been seeded in the past, with a career-high ranking of No. 19 in 2021.

But it’s been a stop-start career of injuries and spells away from competition for the all-court Czech, who can easily toy with the tennis ball on court and plays with a style – in her own words – in which she tries to “mix it up with slices, drop shots... to get [my opponent] out of the rhythm.”

Enforced time off

But after a 2021 quarter-final run at Wimbledon, Muchova missed six months from late that year into early last season, halting her upward momentum and dumping her out of the world’s top 100.

Her mental approach is as singular as her playing style, however: “When I'm injured, it's not a happy day with the tennis and rehab takes a lot of time,” she said.

“Even without injury, I like to spend some time away from tennis and have time with my friends and enjoy home and family.”

Back on the major stage, however, and reunited with coach Emil Miske, Muchova is as lethal as anyone. She beat Sakkari here a year ago as well, though nothing can top her triumph over world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty at the Australian Open in 2021, advancing her to her first and – for now at least – only Slam semi.

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“I wish every tournament would go this way,” she said in Melbourne. “It definitely showed me that I can play these players.” With an 8-11 record against top-10 opponents, Muchova has proved that time and time again since.

The most dangerous of aspects for the rest of the Roland-Garros field? Muchova is feeling free – and confident: “Rome boosted my confidence on clay,” she said, adding, ominously: “I played better in practices than in today’s match.”