The Japan Times - Muchova, Noskova put friendship on hold to fight for Wimbledon title

Muchova and Noskova have been friends for several years, spending time together off the court and playing doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

For a few hours at the All England Club this weekend, that friendship will be put on hold, with a life-changing moment within touching distance in their first Wimbledon final.

"We got to know each other a lot during Olympics a couple of years ago. We spent a lot of time together because we played doubles and almost got the medal," Noskova said.

"Karolina is such a great fighter, such an incredible player, but mainly she is such a great person. I'm glad I can play my first final against her."

Whoever holds aloft the Venus Rosewater Dish on Saturday, it has been a remarkable tournament for two players who have grown close despite being at far different stages of their careers.

Muchova made her WTA main draw debut nine years ago and has been on the cusp of making her breakthrough at the Grand Slams several times.

The 29-year-old has lost several semi-finals and was beaten in three sets by Iga Swiatek in her only previous major final at the 2023 French Open.

Muchova, who had lost in the first round on her previous four appearances at Wimbledon, is at last unimpeded after suffering a multitude of injuries in recent years.

In 2022, doctors told Muchova that it would be a good idea for her to quit tennis altogether, while in 2023 and 2024 right wrist surgery sidelined her for 10 months.

Muchova takes "pills, sprays, eyedrops" to manage a grass allergy, but she is no longer adverse to playing on the surface.

"It's a very special moment. It's a great achievement," Muchova said after beating two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff to reach the Wimbledon final.

"This is one of the biggest tournaments that we have with all the history."

- 'Gave me the belief' -

In contrast to Muchova's litany of near-misses, Noskova is enjoying a meteoric rise.

The 21-year-old only made her Wimbledon debut in 2022 and now she is in her maiden Grand Slam final after dispatching Marta Kostyuk in the last four.

Noskova may not be a star just yet, but she has won more matches on grass than any other player on the WTA Tour in the past two years.

In the lead up to Wimbledon, she won the Berlin Open for her first grass-court title.

"When I play my best I know I can play with the best players in the world and a have a great result, which is a final in a Grand Slam I guess!" she said.

The Czech duo's run to the final has extended their country's rich history at Wimbledon despite a population of just 11 million.

For the third time in the last four years, a Czech woman will be Wimbledon champion following triumphs for Barbora Krejcikova in 2024 and Marketa Vondrousova in 2023.

Noskova was inspired by the success of her childhood idol Petra Kvitova, who won at the All England Club in 2011 and 2014.

Jana Novotna memorably won Wimbledon in 1998 after losing two previous finals. while Karolina Pliskova reached the 2021 final and Hana Mandlikova twice finished as runner-up in the 1980s.

"We have great history of Czech tennis," Muchova said. "Myself, when I was younger, looking up to the girls who were older than I was, you can just see them doing so well. It gave me the belief that I can as well do it."

Noskova added: "It's a tradition at this point. I would say we are brought up in the same way, with our game on grass allowing us to play any style."

On the cusp of Wimbledon glory, for either Muchova and Noskova, the lawns of south-west London will be hallowed turf forever.

M.Sugiyama--JT