NBO in Focus: Noskova Wins all-Czech Wimbledon Final

Days until National Bank Open: 18

Noskova Mentality Leads Her to Wimbledon Title

It wasn’t an easy road to the Wimbledon winner’s circle for Linda Noskova. The Czech was one-point away from exiting the Championships in the third round as she faced match point against Sorana Cirstea at 5-4 in the decisive set, after letting a 4-2 lead slip. The 21-year-old held her nerve though and eventually sealed the match in a tiebreaker.

Noskova was unstoppable from there, defeating Madison Keys, Elise Mertens, and Marta Kostyuk, all in straight sets. Wimbledon was then guaranteed a third Czech ladies’ singles champion in four years as Noskova met Karolina Muchova for the title. 

The final was a true test of Noskova’s mentality. The No. 9 seed dominated the opening set and was about to cruise to the title, up 5-2 in the second. However, after failing to convert on five championship points, Muchova won five-straight games and had the momentum heading into the decider.

Noskova flushed out the noise and went to the dressing room prior to the third, taking a look at the Venus Rosewater Dish on her way to the bathroom. The world No. 12 used that as motivation as she got the better of Muchova once again, holding onto her early 3-0 lead and converting on her sixth championship point at 5-3 to clinch her first “Big” title.

“The crowd was so loud, and it was after the games that I have lost, so I was just trying to be with myself for a little time,” Noskova said in her post-match press conference. “I was in the bathroom. I just splashed some cold water on me, started over again. What really helped me – like the first step I took off court – the trophies were there. I was like, ‘I'm not going to take the small one, I'm taking the big one.’”

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There was not a dry eye on Centre Court following Noskova’s emotional on-court speech, dedicating the triumph to her late mother who passed away a day prior to the 2024 Championships.

“There's also one more person I would like to thank, which is my mom,” Noskova said. “I definitely would not be standing here without her, so thank you.”

Noskova became the youngest Wimbledon ladies’ singles champion since her idol Petra Kvitova in 2011.

Muchova, Noskova Reach Career Highs

Despite falling short of the Wimbledon title, Muchova remains the Czech No. 1, moving up three places in the WTA rankings to a career-high No. 6. 

The 29-year-old has two trophies this year as of the end of the grass season, earning the biggest title of her career in Doha then winning on the lawn in Bad Homburg. The Wimbledon final was her second at a major, making her first at 2023 Roland-Garros.

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Noskova is right on the heels of her countrywoman in the WTA rankings. The Czech No. 2 is up five spots to No. 7, a career high for her as well. This is the first time two Czech players are in the WTA Top 10 since Karolina Pliskova and Barbora Krejcikova in 2021.

All winners from last week:

Wimbledon

• Women’s Singles: Linda Noskova (2/1/3)* d. Karolina Muchova
• Women’s Doubles: Hanyu Guo/Kristina Mladenovic d. Gabriela Dabrowski/Luisa Stefani

*(2026 titles/Grand Slam titles/career titles)

Coming up on Tour

Shift to Hard-Court Swing

Players will make a last few stops in Europe before the tour heads across the Atlantic for the North American hard-court swing.

The lone event on the concrete this week is the VANDA Pharmaceuticals Athens Open as the WTA returns to the Greek capital for the first time in 35 years. Clara Tauson is the tournament’s top seed with local favourite Maria Sakkari in the opposite half of the draw as the No. 4 seed.

The WTA's best return to Toronto next summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers Aug 1 to 13 at Sobeys Stadium. Get your tickets today!

Feature Photo: Martin Sidorjak