12 months ago at the French Open Karolina Muchova was left crying on the court but for a very different reason.
At the 2022 tournament, she took on America’s Amanda Anisimova in the third round with their encounter going into a deciding set. Then disaster struck for the Czech who rolled her ankle and subsequently was forced to retire from her match. It was the latest injury setback for Muchova who has also had to contend with issues related to her thigh, back and abdomen during some stage of her career. Unfortunately, this has prevented her from reaching her full potential in the sport for a long period.
“I don’t even want to talk about last year,” she replied when asked in her press conference about that match. “It was pretty sad for me. I beat Sakkari. I played great against Amanda and then that happened. It was another pushback. “
However, at Roland Garros this year Muchova reminded the world of tennis how much of a formidable player she can be. Unseed in the draw she dropped only one set en route to the semi-finals which was in her second match against Nadia Podoroska who reached the last four of the tournament in 2020. She also beat No.8 seed Maria Sakkari in the first round. Her latest victory saw her stage an epic comeback from 2-5 down in the decider to stun world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 7-5.
“There have been many moments, many lows, from one injury to another,” Muchova reflected on her past struggles.
“When I missed Australian Open last year, and I was in a pretty bad state healthy-wise, I was working out a lot to try to get back.’
“Some doctors told me that maybe I shouldn’t do sport anymore. But I always kept it positive in my mind. I tried to work and do all the exercises to be able to come back.”
To put Muchova’s stunning run into context only three players with a lower ranking than her have reached the final in Paris. They are Iga Swiatek (No.54 in 2020), Jelena Ostapenko (No.47 in 2017) and Renata Tomanova (No.47 in 1976).
“It’s up-and-downs in life all the time. Now I’m enjoying that I’m on the upper part now.” The world No.43 said.
Amid her physical problems, Muchova has already proven herself to be a threat at major tournaments. In 2021 she achieve her best Grand Slam run when she reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open. Furthermore, she is also a two-time quarter-finalist at Wimbledon.
Known for her use of old-school tennis combined with her unique approach to the sport, Muchova likes to stand out from the rest. She is coached by Emil Miske who has been with her for a long period of her career.
“I don’t want to be like anyone else,” she says.
“It’s the type of game I enjoy, and I believe in. We are trying to improve it with the team. Now we can see that it is working, so that’s nice.”
Muchova will take on Swiatek in the French Open final on Saturday. Not only is her maiden Grand Slam title up for grabs, if she wins she will break into the world’s top 10 for the first time.
“I will need to fight. I’ll need to play my best. I have to bring the best out of me and play a perfect match to be able to win a Grand Slam.” The Czech concluded.
