Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova dedicated her victory over Karolina Muchova to her late mother, Ivana, who passed away on the eve of the same tournament two years ago.
Noskova, 21, won her first grand slam title and became the latest Czech player to lift the Venue Rosewater Dish as she overcome compatriot Muchova in a thrilling three-set battle on Centre Court.
Noskova had five Championship points at the end of the second set, only to implode, but regained her composure after Muchova forced the decider to win 6-2 5-7 6-3, and fell onto her back as she finally got over the line.
Noskova congratulated Muchova on playing her part in the historic all-Czech final and thanked her family, friends, coaches and whole team after making the iconic climb into the players’ box.
She reserved her final thank you for her late mother, who passed away following a long battle with cancer shortly before the start of the 2024 Championships. Noskova, then 19, was seeded 26th at the tournament but lost in the second round.
“There’s one more person I’d like to thank which is my mum, I definitely would not be standing here without her, so thank you,” Noskova said before pausing as she became overwhelmed with emotion.
“I don’t cry normally, this is not okay for me! I have been enjoying these two weeks so much, all the sad tears, all the happy tears, all the sweat and blood put into this, it was all worth it. I will definitely never forget these two weeks.”
Noskova is the youngest woman to win Wimbledon since compatriot Petra Kvitova in 2011; Kvitova watched the match from the Royal Box along with nine-time Wimbledon winner Martina Navratilova, the first Czech player to win the title at the All England Club.
Noskova saved match point in the third set of her third-round match against No 17 seed Sorana Cirstea, and also becomes only the third player, after Venus Williams and Serena Williams, to win the Wimbledon title after saving match point en route to the final.
“It feels incredible, today but all these matches have been so physically and mentally tough,” Noskova said. “Karo, you really made me work for it, I’ll forgive you this one. Like you said, we’re friends, I’m so glad I could play my first grand slam final with you.
“I think we made history today. I believe that all our Czech fans back home are proud of us, no matter the result. I want to congratulate your team, you especially, you have been such a fighter, good two weeks for you and a great season so congrats as well.”
