What do you call an all-Czech Grandslam final? A Czech-mate!
The 139th edition of Wimbledon is making Czech tennis history. For the first time ever, it is already certain before the final that the Wimbledon title will go to a Czech player. Linda Nosková and Karolína Muchová will face each other in Saturday's championship match.
Both Muchová and Nosková are chasing the first Grand Slam title of their careers. While 29-year-old Muchová has previously reached the French Open final, 21-year-old Nosková is making her Grand Slam final debut. It will be the first all-Czech Wimbledon final since the Czech Republic became an independent state in 1993.
Muchová secured her place in the final with Thursday's victory over American Coco Gauff. During the match, she was troubled by physical discomfort, but fortunately it did not turn out to be an injury.
“I was just trying to catch my breath, but I am good now.”
Karolína Muchová eventually won the match 2–1 in sets after 2 hours and 38 minutes, securing her place in the Wimbledon final for the first time in her career.
“It was such a big fight. It was like being on a roller coaster. You go up and down. One moment, you have a match point. Then you’re match point down. There’s no time to think, but it’s very nerve-wracking. I don’t really know what I’m saying. I’m really kind of shaking but it sounds really nice to be in the final.”
A few hours after Muchová's triumph, Linda Nosková took to the court to face three-years-older Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk in the second semi-final. Nosková went on to win in straight sets, sealing victory in 1 hour and 19 minutes.
“For me, it’s always just about focusing on myself. Focusing on my game. When I play my best, I know that I can play with the best players in the world and have great results, which is finally the Grand Slam.”
The last all-Czech women's final at Wimbledon took place in 1986, when Hana Mandlíková faced Martina Navrátilová. Nevertheless, Navrátilová was already representing the United States at the time. Forty years later, the tennis star voiced her excitement over the Czech success.
“It is an incredible achievement. Especially Karolína – even though she was not playing her best tennis, she kept fighting and won. It was nerve-wracking. But perhaps it is better that they will face each other, because it is guaranteed that a Czech player will win,” Navrátilová told Czech Radio.
Regardless of how the weekend’s final turns out, the former tennis player expects many more successes in the future: “Linda is 21 years old, and if she does not win it, she will have many more opportunities. Karolína is healthy, so why not next year? In any case, I am very happy and proud.”
Whether it be Muchová or Nosková, one of them will become the third Czech Wimbledon champion in the past four seasons. The final will take place on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. CET, will see millions of Czechs glued to their TV sets.
