Karolina Muchova said she will need a few days to overcome her second Grand Slam final defeat after going down to fellow Czech Linda Noskova in the Wimbledon title clash, but the 29-year-old vowed to keep fighting for her maiden major title.
Muchova saved five match points as she fought back from 5-2 down in the second set to stretch the match into a decider, but she could not avoid a 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 defeat.
It was the second time she suffered a heartbreak on one of tennis’ biggest stages after losing to Iga Swiatek in the 2023 French Open final.
“It’ll definitely take me a few days (to overcome the loss). But again, I was in the final. It’s still a great achievement. It’s still something I’d take before the tournament,” Muchova told reporters.
“I think my game is good. I’m improving. So, I feel good on the courts. Yeah, it’s a dream of mine; it’s a goal of mine to lift that Grand Slam trophy. This is a setback, but also a motivation.”
Muchova said she was determined to fight for her survival as she stood a point away from defeat, not once, but five times during the dramatic second set.
“This tournament matters to me. I’m like, 'Okay, I don’t want to lose 6-2, 6-2. I’m going to do everything to break her serve and keep mine.’” Muchova added.
“I was still believing that I could turn it around. So, that was in my head.”
READ: ‘I’m taking the big one’ - how Noskova stared down heartbreak to win Wimbledon 2026
Muchova arrived in the final having saved a match point in her semifinal duel against Coco Gauff, which went to three sets and ended in a gruelling match tiebreak that she won 12-10.
“It was a pretty tough match. I definitely felt it physically. I was a little more tired after that match with Coco,” she said.
“I didn’t want to think of it. I was like, 'Okay, I’m going to give it my all.’ I think maybe that, definitely. The nerves as well. I really wanted to win today.
“Maybe it tied my hands a little bit today from the start.”
Describing Noskova as a “calm fighter” in the big moments, Muchova said her opponent proved too good on the day.
“She’ll go after every point; she’ll fight for every point, so she’s really competitive. It’s definitely tough to play her on any surface,” Muchova said.
“I think I started really slow today. On the other hand, Linda started really strong, with really good serving games. She played fast. It took a lot of power and strength out of me to get back in that second set. I gave it my all.
“The people were cheering. I felt the support. I felt the momentum in the second set, so I knew I could turn it around. It was definitely nice that it happened.
“Unfortunately, at the start of the third, it slipped through my fingers.”
Comments
Published on Jul 12, 2026