Karolina Muchova looked a shadow of herself for a set and a half today, until, seemingly from nowhere, she found her level.
Having faced five championship points, this seemingly provided the necessary impetus to start playing properly. She broke back and served out the set, and was threatening to take the title too.
In the end, Linda Noskova did impeccably well to steady the ship and still come away with the victory.
Karolina Muchova, however, was left frustrated afterwards not only with the result, but with her level throughout as well.
Karolina Muchova’s biggest regret from the Wimbledon final
Asked about why she started so slowly in her press conference, the Czech star boldly admitted: “I think today was one of my worst matches, I would say, from this tournament. I think I played better in the other matches, definitely, starting slow.
“On the other hand, again, credit to Linda. She played well, and it made it tough for me.
“I mean, in the second set when I made that break and was able to break again and hold serve and win that second set, I repeat myself, I felt the momentum. I felt like, okay, I can do it. I can turn it around. Even though I didn’t feel so good on the court today, I’m just going to put the ball over the net, however.
“Yeah, but then, again, didn’t happen.”
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Muchova theorised that she was more tired after her thrilling semi-final with Coco Gauff, before sharing her biggest regret from the match, at the start of the third set.
She admitted: “Everything’s happening so fast now, I didn’t really look back too much. If I had one regret, I would say in the first game of the second set when I had advantage, I had the forehand when I wanted to go down the line and I hit it back cross, and then she smashed it.
“If I get that lead, 1-0, it would definitely feel different for me to start the set that way, but it didn’t happen.”
Noskova has since revealed what she did between the second and third set which spurred her on to this dramatic victory.
Caroline Garcia sends message to Linda Noskova after Wimbledon final
Naturally, compliments have flooded in for Noskova after winning her maiden Grand Slam title, at Wimbledon no less.
Caroline Garcia, who retired from the sport just last August but enjoyed a fine career spanning 14 years, is the latest to send her congratulations.
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She took to X to write: “What an incredible performance from Linda Noskova! So much fun to see her play!! Congrats as well to Karolina Muchova on a great run. Super inspiring how well she fought during the whole match!
“Women’s tennis future is bright.”
She could not be more correct with her concluding statement, as a new champion of the WTA Tour is born, joining a whole host of young superstars who are all contending for the sport’s biggest honours.
