Linda Noskova came through a dramatic three set match to win the Wimbledon final against Karolina Muchova.
Noskova beat Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-2, despite having led the second set 5-2 and having five championship points.
After losing that second set, it was reported that Noskova had walked past the Wimbledon trophy when taking a bathroom break.
Noskova has now confirmed this and revealed exactly what she told herself in these difficult moments of the match.
Linda Noskova reveals what she told herself after losing the second set to Karolina Muchova
Noskova explained in her post-match press conference that after losing the second set she had told herself that she was only going to take the Wimbledon winners’ trophy, not the runners-up, after coming so close to winning the match in straight sets.
“Yeah, I was just telling myself that the match is starting over,” detailed Noskova. “I was in the bathroom. I just splashed some cold water on me, started over again.
“But 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. I have been so close. This will probably be the heartbreak of my life.
“I started over. I would say that maybe the key point was the first game that I held my serve. Yeah, those key points.”
Noskova added after being asked a follow-up question about staring at the trophies, “Yeah, no, I was looking at the big one. I was like, I’m taking this one no matter what. If I’m going to leave my soul on court in the third set, whatever that be.
“I just kind of started to focus on myself all over again, which was the key point.”
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After Muchova won the second set, the Centre Court crowd were on their feet in support for the eventual runner-up, as they were happy to be able to watch a deciding set for a Wimbledon final that once seemed one-sided.
Noskova proceeded to put her fingers over her ears when this happened, and she has now explained why she decided to do this.
“Well, 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,” said Noskova. “I have thrown a towel over my head after some break that I lost or something like that.
“Something that my coach told me last night, he was like, If you need a moment, take it, get out of the court or just be with yourself for a moment.
“I feel like those moments, I don’t know if they helped me or not, but it was just definitely to keep myself away from all the noise.”
Linda Noskova admits what could have happened if she lost the first game of the deciding set
Noskova lost five games in a row in the second set, having missed her five championship point opportunities, and she was put under pressure in the first game of the deciding set when she was serving.
The 21-year-old was able to hold off this pressure, with Noskova saving three break points in this first game of the third set, and another in her next service game.
Noskova was also asked about this, to which she admitted that the match could have played out very differently had she not played those pressure points well in the third set.
“Yeah, let’s say I’m brave enough to say that the third set would not have been the same if maybe I would have lost the first game,” said Noskova. “I lost five games in a row in the second one, so it was very, very important to start off great, in a good way, the third one.
“Karolina had some chances on my serve in that first game. I’m glad that I kind of kept my cool and played somehow like in the first set, let’s say.”
Not only is Noskova now a Grand Slam champion, but she will also now be rewarded with a new career-high ranking of world number seven after Wimbledon.
