Linda Noskova could not contain her emotions after winning her first grand slam title with victory over compatriot Karolina Muchova in the Wimbledon final.
Noskova recovered from squandering five match points in the second set to seal victory in her first grand slam final, claiming a 6-2 5-7 6-3 triumph.
In clinching the title, Noskova became the third Czech to win the ladies singles title in the last four years.
Her win came two years after Noskova’s mother lost her battle with cancer on the eve of the 2024 championships.
And the 21-year-old paid tribute to her mum after coming through an absorbing final.
“All these matches have been so tough physically and mentally tough, today especially and it’s never easy to get the last point,” Noskova said on court.
“Karo – you really made me work for it. We’re friends, I’m so glad I could play you in my first grand slam final, with you I think we made history today. I believe all the Czech fans at home are proud of us, no matter the result, it’s a good day.
“I want to congratulate your team, a good two weeks for you and a great season so congrats as well. I want to thank my team, I want to thank my dad for coming here, for my family flying here – I know you don’t like flying so I appreciate it. I would like to thank my friends, supporters, agents, my whole team.
“I would like to thank my coach, for being with me, which is not easy all the time. We have been together for six years and I’m so grateful for you. I would not be here without you.
“There’s one more person that I want to thank, which is my mum. I would definitely not be standing here without you so thank you.”
Asked about coming back as champion in 2027, Noskova said: “I have enjoyed these two weeks so much. All the sad tears, happy tears, sweat, blood and it’s all worth it. I will never forget these two weeks.
“I want to thank all the fans. You guys made this final like nothing I’ve experience before so I can’t wait to come back.”
Muchova congratulates ‘ex-friend’ Noskova
For Muchova, the defeat marked her second in a grand slam final, having previously lost the 2023 French Open showpiece.
And she was able to retain her sense of humour despite the disappointment.
“Really tough to find any words, but I’ll start with Linda, my ‘ex-friend’. I’m kidding obviously, kind of,” Muchova joked.
“You are so young, this is your first final at a grand slam, the way you handled it and the way you played is really unbelievable. Beyond this you are an especially very kind person and human being, so congratulations to you and your team. You deserve it.
“I would like to thank everyone who is making this special tournament possible. The attention is always on us players, but there are so many people who run this special event, so thank you for making it so smooth. I would like to thank every one of you guys [the crowd] for the past two weeks, you have been coming to every one of my matches, supporting everyone.
“This is an unbelievable tournament, a special one, the best one in the world and I am just really glad to be standing here. Even though I am pretty disappointed now. But, when I look to my corner… I’m sorry, it is emotional. When I look to the corner, I have all my friends and family who cancel plans to come and watch me and it means a lot. My team who has been with me these past weeks, pushing me and keeping me positive, thank you guys very much.
“I will be fighting more, I want the trophy and I hope I can reach the final again and can come back and win.”
