LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 11: Linda Noskova of Czechia celebrates a point against Karolina Muchova of Czechia during their Ladies’ Singles final match on day thirteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 11, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Linda Noskova had the match on her racquet.
And then she didn’t.
No. 9 Noskova had five match points in the second set against her Czech compatriot, No. 10 Karolina Muchova, before steadying herself to win the Wimbledon title, 6-2, 5-7, 6-3, for her first major championship.
It was just her second match ever on the famed Centre Court of Wimbledon.
Noskova will take home approximately $4.8 million, while Muchova, who knocked out Coco Gauff in an epic semifinal, earned $2.4 million after losing her second major final.
She is the 10th different ladies champion in the last 10 years.
Noskova, 21, beat five seeded players en route to her maiden Slam title. She joins a list of Czech champions at Wimbledon that includes Jan Kodes on the men’s side and Martina Navratilova, Jana Novotna, Petra Kvitova, Markéta Vondroušová and Barbora Krejcikova on the women’s side.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 11: Karolina Muchova of Czechia celebrates winning the second set against Linda Noskova of Czechia during their Ladies’ Singles final match on day thirteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 11, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Noskova led 5-2 in the second set after taking the first but blew five match points in and lost five games in a row to lose it 7-5.
After fending off a break point and holding for 1-0 in the third, Noskova went up 2-0 when Muchova sailed a forehand long on break point. She then held for 3-0.
Serving for the match at 5-3, 30-15, Noskova cranked out an ace to bring herself to match point. She then smacked a service winner before collapsing on her back on Centre Court in jubilation.
Muchova jokingly referred to Noskova as her “ex-friend’ after the match, before adding, ”I’m kidding, obviously, kind of.”
“You’re so young,” she added. “This was your first final of a slam. The way you handled it and how you played was really unbelievable. Beyond this all you’re especially a very kind person and human being. Congratulations to you and your team. You deserve it.”