Youngster triumphs in all-Czech battle and dedicates victory to late mother
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as freshly-crowned Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova paid tribute to her late mother Ivana in her victory speech on Centre Court on Saturday.
After defeating her fellow Czech Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 to become the youngest Wimbledon women’s champion since her compatriot Petra Kvitova in 2011, the 21-year-old Noskova could not hold back tears as she thanked her nearest and dearest for their support.
Noskova’s mother passed away on the eve of the Championships two years ago after a battle with cancer.
After thanking her father, family members, friends, and team, who were all in the stands to witness Noskova’s maiden Grand Slam title triumph, she had some special words for her mother.
“There is also one more person I would like to thank, which is my mom. I would definitely not be standing here without her. So, thank you,” said Noskova, tearing up and sending a kiss to the sky.
“Guys, I don’t cry normally, this is no okay for me.
“I have been enjoying these two weeks so much. All the sad tears, all the happy tears, all the sweat and blood put into this, it was so worth it, so I will definitely never forget these two weeks.”
In the first Grand Slam final between two women representing the Czech Republic in the Open Era, and with the likes of Kvitova, Martina Navratilova, Maria Sharapova and Billie Jean King all watching on from the stands, Noskova had the better start, breaking twice en route to a one-set lead inside 32 minutes.
Noskova looked on her way to a comfortable straight-sets victory when she opened up a 5-2 lead in the second set, but Muchova had other ideas.
The 29-year-old former Roland-Garros finalist broke Noskova as she served for the title at 5-3 and saved a total of five match points on her way to scooping the second set and levelling the final.
Noskova would have been forgiven had she lost her concentration after squandering such a lead and numerous opportunities to close out the win, but the reality was far from that.
She saved a trio of break points in the opening game of the decider and broke Muchova to build a 3-0 gap. It was all she needed to finish the job after two hours and 28 minutes of sheer battle.
Noskova covered her face and flung herself to the ground, the grass pressing against her back as she let emotions take over.
After sharing an embrace with Muchova, her Paris 2024 Olympics doubles partner, Noskova crouched to the ground, once again covering her face in disbelief. At the bench, she hid her face under the bright red Wimbledon towel, taking it all in.
Joking that she wasn’t sure how to properly hold up the Venus Rosewater Dish, Noskova then had some kind words for Muchova in her speech.
“It feels incredible. Today, and all these matches have been so tough, so physically and mentally tough. Today especially, it’s never easy to get the last point. Karo, you really made me work for it. I will not forgive you this one,” said Noskova, who is 12-1 on grass this season, with a title in Berlin captured in the build-up to Wimbledon.
“But like you said, we’re friends, I’m so glad that I could play my first Grand Slam final with you. I think we made history today.
“I believe that all our Czech fans at home are proud of us. So no matter the result today, I think it was a good day for both of us.”
Noskova is the third Czech woman in the last four years to win Wimbledon, and will rise to a career-high No.7 in the world on Monday.
She was on the brink of defeat earlier in the tournament, having saved match point during the third set of her third-round clash with No.17 seed Sorana Cirstea of Romania.
Muchova was equally emotional in her runner-up speech, unable to contain her tears when addressing her box.
“I’ll start with Linda, my ex-friend. I’m kidding obviously, kind of,” joked the crafty No.10 seed, who rises to No.6 in the world on Monday.
“You’re so young and this was your first Grand Slam final and the way you handled it and how you played, it was really unbelievable. Beyond all this, you are especially a very kind person and human being, so congratulations to you and to your team. You deserve it.
“Even though I’m pretty disappointed now. But when I look to my corner, I have all my friends and family, who cancelled their plans and came here today for me. I appreciate it a lot.
“I’ll be fighting, I’ll be fighting more. I want that trophy and I hope I’ll get a chance to get to the final again and I’ll come back.”
ROLAND-GARROS
17 May - 6 June 2027
