Key events
Noskova walks through the guard of honour created by the ball boys and girls, as she walks off the court she’s just conquered, and now she’ll get the chance to see her name, which has already been inscribed on to the board of champions, alongside Navratilova, Novotna, Kvitova, Vondrousova and Krejcikova.
That final had it all. Friendship. Fine grass-court tennis. Those five missed championship points. A formidable fightback. And a fantastic, first-time grand slam champion. At 21, she’s the youngest Wimbledon winner since Kvitova in 2011, it’s the third-longest Wimbledon women’s final in history at two hours and 28 minutes, and the ninth successive year there’s been a first-time Wimbledon women’s champion.
But this is Noskova’s moment. “It feels incredible,” she says. “It’s been so tough, physically and mentally. It’s never easy to get the last point and Karo you made me work so hard for it. I’m so happy I could play my first grand slam final with you, we made history today. I believe that all our Czech fans at home are proud of us, so no matter the result, I think it was a good day for both of us. I want to thank my dad for coming here and my family members, I know you don’t like flying, so I appreciate it.” She then says she has one more person to thank, her late mum, who died two years ago from cancer. And now Noskova’s crying too, and I don’t think there’s a dry eye in the house. “I definitely wouldn’t be standing her without her,” she says, as she blows a kiss into the sky. What a bittersweet moment.
But now Muchova is in tears, and it’s so painful to watch, but she still manages a joke. “It’s so tough to find words, but I’ll try. I’ll start with Linda, my ex-friend,” she quips. “I’m kidding obviously … kind of! You’re so young, this is your first grand slam final, the way you handled it, it’s unbelievable. I’m pretty disappointed now but when I look to my corner …” and the tears are flowing again, before she composes herself. “I hope I’ll get a chance to get to the final again.” Maybe she can do a Novotna, who of course came back in 1998 to finally win Wimbledon.
Novotna cried on the Duchess of Kent’s shoulders after being beaten by Steffi Graff in the 1993 final, but Muchova just about manages to hold it together, as she collects her runners-up trophy from the Princess of Wales, before Noskova gets her hands on the Venus Rosewater Dish.
Noskova’s now in her box, hugging her family and coaching team and her dad, who’s in tears, as Navratilova and Kvitova applaud in the Royal Box. Martina’s crying too. And I’m nearly crying after all of the high drama. Navratilova, Novotna, Kvitova, Vondrousova, Krejcikova … and now Noskova. the 21-year-old adds her name to the long list of Czech-born women to conquer Wimbledon and she’s the third Czech to win the title in four years. Czech players + grass really is the perfect combination.
Noskova beats Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 to win Wimbledon!
An absorbing rally at 15-all and Noskova, immoveable, prevails! What guts. And an ace down the T brings up a sixth championship point! And Muchova can’t produce another great escape, she’s finally Czeching out, as another serve down the middle settles matters! NOSKOVA, AFTER ALL OF THE DRAMA, IS THE WIMBLEDON CHAMPION! She’s down on the grass, head in her hands, before coming to the net to embrace her defeated Czech mate. “That’s one of the greatest, all-time efforts mentally you’ll ever see on this court,” says McEnroe. And breathe.
Third set: Muchova 2-6, 7-5, 3-5 Noskova* (* denotes next server)
Muchova, now almost entirely in the Centre Court shade, as she serves to stay in this final, belligerently takes the first point. And the second too. And the third. And the fourth, as she goes all Martina with a serve-volley. So Noskova, at 5-3, will get the chance to serve this out, just as she did in the second set. Lightning can’t strike twice … can it?
Third set: Muchova* 2-6, 7-5, 2-5 Noskova (* denotes next server)
Well, Muchova is going to have to if she’s to extend this final any further, because Noskova, now the Noskova of the first set and half of the second set, holds to love with absolutely zero fuss. The drama of the second set suddenly seems a distant memory. “What’s she thinking at the changeover?” muses John McEnroe. Probably nothing would be the best approach right now.
Third set: Muchova 2-6, 7-5, 2-4 Noskova* (* denotes next server)
Muchova’s energy levels have dipped as she dumps a tired shot into the net at 40-15. But she holds on the next point, and she’s still only a break behind, even though Noskova is about to serve for a 5-2 lead. Muchova came back from that deficit in the second set, could it be a similar story here?
Third set: Muchova* 2-6, 7-5, 1-4 Noskova (* denotes next server)
A ninth ace from Noskova and it’s 15-0. And then suddenly Muchova turns into Nick Kyrgios, hitting a tweener after charging back to a lob, and although Muchova gets it back into play, Noskova nails a forehand winner! 30-0. 40-15. And game, when Noskova sends Muchova one way and then the other and then the other, before Muchova eventually surrenders by netting. Noskova’s found her forehand again and it may be even better than it was in the first set and a half. What resilience from the 21-year-old.
Third set: Muchova 2-6, 7-5, 1-3 Noskova* (* denotes next server)
Ooohs and aaahs at 40-15 as Noskova is wise to Muchova’s drop shot and swats away a winner, an hour after she had her first championship point. Muchova holds to 30 to get on the board in this decider.
Third set: Muchova* 2-6, 7-5, 0-3 Noskova (* denotes next server)
Muchova did defeat Noskova in three sets, by the way, in their only previous meeting, at the US Open last year in the third round. And Muchova magics up an incredible winning backhand pass at full stretch to get to break-back point at her advantage! I’m not sure how much more of this I can type. My fingers are still shaking and my heart is still pumping from the second set. But Noskova is calmer than me, as she wrests back control from break point down to reel off the next three points to hold. She’s got more fans cheering for her now, perhaps there’s a level of sympathy after what happened to her in the second set, but Muchova is still edging it.
Noskova breaks: Muchova 2-6, 7-5, 0-2 Noskova* (* denotes next server)
And yes, here’s another jarring jolt, as Muchova balloons a backhand long to hand over a break point at 30-40! And with the shadows now moving over Centre Court, it’s Muchova who’s put into the shade, as she misfires on the backhand again! Huge, huge props to Noskova. She has somehow found a way to hit the reset button, despite all of those cheers for Muchova ringing in her ears, but if this final has taught us anything, it’s that we shouldn’t expect anything in this deciding set to be remotely straightforward. Hopefully this finishes before England v Norway at 10pm …
Third set: Muchova* 2-6, 7-5, 0-1 Noskova (* denotes next server)
Yes when you think you’ve seen it all … and this probably even beats the drama of that Novotna final in 1993 against Graf, given those five championship points Noskova couldn’t take. And Noskova’s feet are barely moving when she returns to the court and falls 30-40 down on serve. She does, however, show better speed to chase down Muchova’s mis-hit and crunch away a winner. Perhaps that’ll staunch the flow of five games against her. But Muchova is now dictating on the forehand and, running around her backhand, she gets to break point. And then a second, after tremendous hands at the net. But somehow Noskova hauls herself back up and courageously takes the next three points. That could prove to be a huge, huge hold if there’s to be another wild momentum shift in this final.
“Jana Novotna all over again?” emails David Howell. “You can’t not think of that when momentum swings that radically in this of all finals. And between this and that remarkable miss from Gauff at match point in the semi, you almost have to think Muchova is at full-on Player of Destiny status at this point.”
Muchova wins the second set 7-5!!
Muchova, with relatively little fuss given the extraordinary, excruciating drama that’s come before this, moves to 40-15 and seizes the set with an inside-in forehand winner!!! Muchova is cheering and fist-pumping and Noskova, once again, has her fingers in her ears, before walking off court to try and drown it all out. And I really have no words.
Muchova breaks! Muchova* 2-6, 6-5 Noskova (* denotes next server)
Having lost the past three games, Noskova is ahead at 30-15, but with her confidence and composure now shot to pieces she’s missing balls she wouldn’t have done earlier in this final and it’s quickly 30-all. Muchova’s forehand, meanwhile, is now the most dangerous it’s been. Two more wild shots from Noskova follow and Muchova, from 5-2 down and having withstood five championship points, breaks for 6-5 and will now serve to take this to a decider! It’s not ova until it’s ova.
Second set: Muchova 2-6, 5-5 Noskova* (* denotes next server)
Noskova put her fingers in her ears to drown out the sound of the crowd when Muchova broke. She’s ready to receive their acclaim, though, when she moves to 15-30 on Muchova’s serve and then 30-40, a fifth championship point, despite Muchova producing her fastest serve of the tournament for 30-all. And you know what happens, right, in this neverending of second sets? Muchova saves it with a HUGE forehand. Deuce. Advantage Muchova. Deuce. Advantage Muchova. We thought that match tie-break against Gauff in the semi-finals had it all … but this may be even better. AND MUCHOVA HOLDS TO DRAW LEVEL! IMPROBABLY, IMPLAUSIBLY THIS FINAL IS NOT YET OVER! Noskova has her hands on her hips and looks as if she wants the grass to eat her up.
Muchova breaks! Muchova* 2-6, 4-5 Noskova (* denotes next server)
Now a fourth BP … and Noskova batters down an ace! “That’s insane,” mutters Martina in the Royal Box. And a fifth BP … and another ace! And a sixth BP … it’s not an ace this time, but it may as well be, because Muchova isn’t getting that serve back! Now Noskova coughs up another double for a seventh BP … and NOSKOVA’S FOREHAND SKIDS INTO THE TRAMLINES! SOMEHOW. THEY’RE. STILL. GOING.
15-0, courtesy of a nerveless drive volley. 30-0, as Muchova errs on her return. 30-15, when Noskova nets a tight forehand. 30-all, when Noskova’s forehand misfires once more. Maybe she is feeling the nerves, after all … and Muchova marmalises a forehand to bring up break point! Could we be about to see some drama to match Muchova’s tie-break against Gauff in the semi-finals? Nearly, because Noskova almost (literally) knocks Muchova out, with a ball straight into Muchova’s body, for deuce, and despite a second BP for Muchova, here’s a fourth championship point for Noskova … and Noskova double faults!!! Now Muchova has a third BP … but nothing in this game is remotely straightforward and it’s back to deuce once more …
Second set: Muchova 2-6, 3-5 Noskova* (* denotes next server)
Muchova moves to advantage, so may live to fight another game yet. And she does, when Noskova blazes a backhand into the tramlines! The biggest drama in this match has been saved until last. And now Noskova must put those three missed championship points out of her mind, as she serves for her first grand slam title …
After a Muchova advantage and a fourth deuce, this is the longest game of the final, at the most critical of times. An enthralling game of cat and mouse follows, complete with lobs and smashes and half-volleys and more volleys … and Muchova hits long! A third championship point. Muchova’s first serve is long, she lands her second, Noskova’s shot clips the tape, trickles over … and Muchova makes it forward in time to dispatch the drop shot!
There’s no sign of Noskova blinking so close to the finish line, though, as she gets to 15-all on Muchova’s serve. A lovely drop shot from Muchova reels Noskova in on the third point, which Muchova finishes with a forehand pass! But Noskova is playing with such freedom, as if this is a hit in the park rather than a grand slam final, and she comes back at Muchova again for 30-all. Will it be game point or championship point? Game point, but Muchova’s just can’t shake Noskova off, and it’s swiftly deuce. And then championship point, when Muchova tamely nets. Muchova takes a little longer to serve … lands a strong first serve out wide … and now Noskova nets! A little shake of head from Noskova there, which is as much frustration as she’s shown today. She soon has a second championship point … but goes long!
“In the aftermath of her semi-final defeat, Maria Kostyuk said she felt she was simply not allowed to play her game in the match,” emails Gavriella Epstein-Lightman. “It seems that something similar is unfolding in this final. Noskova’s bludgeoning power coupled with unrelenting accuracy on her groundstrokes is dominating the match, preventing Muchova from utilising the variety of shots in her toolbox. Muchova will be hoping that Noskova’s level dips, and that unforced errors start to creep in.”
Second set: Muchova* 2-6, 2-5 Noskova (* denotes next server)
Amid this relentless serving and ball-striking from Noskova, Muchova’s magic from the quarter-finals and semi-finals has vanished into thin air, and Noskova backs up the break in double quick time, moving to 15-0, 30-0. And 40-0, when she shows she’s not all about power, with a crafty backhand slice that befuddles Muchova. Game Noskova. She’s a game away and this has been a brilliant, fearless display from the 21-year-old.
Noskova breaks: Muchova 2-6, 2-4 Noskova* (* denotes next server)
At 15-all, a Noskova return lands bang on the baseline, and Muchova is thrown by the bounce. So it’s 15-30 … and then 15-40 when Muchova inexplicably misses with an inside-in forehand. Ach. And Noskova breaks at the first time of asking when Muchova, off balance once more, nets her forehand off Noskova’s return. Time is running out for Muchova and we may not get that third set we want.
Second set: Muchova* 2-6, 2-3 Noskova (* denotes next server)
Groeneveld is urging Muchova to get to the net more, and she’s showing more aggression and intent here, as she secures a first love hold. But Noskova rattles through the next game nearly as quickly, to edge ahead once more.
Second set: Muchova* 2-6, 1-2 Noskova (* denotes next server)
The spectators seemed a little conflicted early on over which Czech to cheer, but Muchova, as the underdog, now has their support, especially when she fizzes away an inside-out forehand winner for 15-30 on Noskova’s serve. Her forehand hasn’t quite found its range today, but that one certainly did. Another big hit, this time on a backhand return, and Noskova can’t dig the ball out of her feet! 15-40, Muchova’s first break points of the final. Noskova gobbles up a short ball on the first, and a stinging serve extracts the error on the second. Deuce turns into a third break point … but Muchova is carved up by Noskova’s slice. And Noskova survives with the hold. A collective Wimblegroan turns into a polite cheer for Noskova, but they desperately want Muchova to make a match of this.
Second set: Muchova 2-6, 1-1 Noskova* (* denotes next server)
No she can’t, because it’s very quickly 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game Noskova. Noskova’s won 14 out of 15 points played behind her first serve and she just isn’t giving Muchova any time to breathe. Muchova’s coach, Sven Groeneveld – whose list of former charges includes no less than Monica Seles, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, Mary Pierce, Michael Stich, Greg Rusedski and Maria Sharapova (who’s here today), among others – is trying to offer her encouragement, but it doesn’t immediately help as she slides 0-30 down on serve. She can’t afford to be broken here, given the way Noskova is playing and the momentum she has, even though it is very early in the second set. And Muchova gamely gets herself out of that 0-30 hole to 40-30. And then game. Cue one of the loudest cheers from the crowd so far.
