Linda Nosková survived missing five match points to outlast compatriot Karolína Muchová 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 to win a maiden grand slam title as she extended the Czech Republic’s remarkable Wimbledon success story.
Nosková’s triumph on the historic lawns of south-west London made her the third Czech woman to capture the Wimbledon title in four years and continued a run of fresh faces at the All England Club with a first-time champion for the ninth straight edition.
In joining the roll of honour, Nosková added her name to a distinguished Czech tradition at Wimbledon that includes twice champion Petra Kvitova and the late Jana Novotná, whose 1998 triumph remains one of the tournament’s enduring memories.
At the pinnacle of that legacy is Martina Navratilova, who twice lifted the gilded Venus Rosewater Dish as a Czech in 1978 and 1979 before becoming a US citizen to increase her haul to nine singles crowns at the grass court grand slam.
“I don’t know how to hold this, but that’s the first thing,” Nosková said as she cradled her silverware.
“It feels incredible. And all these matches have been so physically or mentally tough. Today, especially, it’s never easy to get to last point.
“Karo, you really made me work for it. So I’ll not forgive for you, but yeah we’re friends.
“I’m so glad 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 us.”
Nosková draws first blood
On a scorching afternoon, ninth seed Nosková turned up the heat in the Centre Court showdown by taking advantage of nervy and wayward hitting by Muchová to break in the fourth game of the opening set with a crisp backhand winner.
The 21-year-old kept her foot on the accelerator with the fearless ball-striking that has carried her through the fortnight, as she broke again to claim the set and leave 2023 French Open runner-up Muchová with a mountain to climb.
Muchová bailed herself out of early trouble in the next set to hold for 1-1 and then brought up two breakpoints in the third game by raising her intensity, but Nosková staved them off with some solid defending to remain on track.
After trading her power for some deft play a little later, Nosková resumed normal service to secure an important break in the sixth game to give herself an opportunity to earn a famous win.
Match points go begging
Nosková knocked on the door three times on Muchová’s serve and then had a fourth match point on her own delivery, but she did not take it and eventually allowed her opponent to break back to prolong the contest.
She then let another match point go begging and quickly found herself level at 5-5, before 10th seed Muchová raised her game again and made it one set apiece as a thoroughly entertained crowd roared both players on.
That setback left Nosková hiding her head under her towel ahead of the decider, but the momentum shift proved short-lived as she went ahead early and earned the win with an unreturnable serve on her sixth match point and collapsed in relief and joy.
Muchová was left to digest another defeat in a grand slam final after her Roland-Garros disappointment.
“It’s really tough to find any words, but this is how it starts … Linda, my ex-friend,” joked Muchová through her tears.
