LONDON — Linda Noskova walked to her chair on Centre Court twice with her eyes on the ground and her hands over her ears. She did not want to hear the noise of the crowd.
The first time was after losing her service game in stunning fashion. She had been serving at 5-3 in the second set, one game away from becoming Wimbledon champion. But double faults and unforced errors nearly cost her everything. She squandered five championship points, completely betrayed by her mind.
The second time was when Karolína Muchová completed an unexpected comeback in that set and forced a decider.
In the all-Czech Wimbledon 2026 final, 21-year-old Noskova showed remarkable mental resilience: after coming within touching distance of the title only to fall away, she regrouped and produced her best tennis to win the third set and take the match 6-2, 5-7 and 6-3.
“The mental strength we have seen on this court is extraordinary,” John McEnroe said on BBC microphones.
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There were many tears at the trophy ceremony. Muchová, holding the runner-up silver plate, took several seconds before she could begin to speak. Then came a line that drew laughter from the crowd: “I want to congratulate Linda, my ex friend.”
The two players have been friends for several years, have spent time together off the court and played doubles together at Paris 2024. “You are a very kind person and an extraordinary human being. You deserve it. You are young and you have already won your first Grand Slam.”
Noskova then delivered an emotional speech. Martina Navratilova, in the Royal Box, was among those who could not hold back tears.
At the end, Noskova remembered her mother, who passed away the day before Wimbledon 2024 began after battling cancer. “I want to thank my mum. Without her I would not be standing here,” said the world No. 12, before blowing a kiss to the sky.
In an interview at the beginning of 2024 with Sport Magazin, Ivana Noskova spoke about how much she wanted to watch her daughter Linda play at Wimbledon.
“I’m really looking forward to Wimbledon! It didn’t work out once. Last year she was officially there for the first time, but I couldn’t go because of health reasons. I’m really looking forward to the atmosphere, the unique grass-court tennis, and of course the traditional strawberries and cream.”
Living through a profound grief, Linda won a match and was eliminated in the second round in that edition of The Championships.
Noskova revealed that Wimbledon was her mother’s favourite tournament and that one of her greatest dreams was to see her lift the trophy at the All England Club. She gave more details in a roundtable interview after winning in Centre Court.
“I think she always wanted me to be here. Always wanted to see me lift such a trophy. I believe that it was, it still is, a dream for her.”
