Wimbledon, a stage where dreams are conjured on manicured grass. This year, however, a shadow fell over the tournament. 19-year-old Czech sensation, Linda Noskova, emerged not as a conqueror, but a warrior shrouded in grief. Just hours before claiming her first career Wimbledon victory, she received news that would shatter her world – the loss of her mother after a courageous battle with illness. Hours after the heartfelt demise, a heart heavy with unimaginable pain, Noskova stepped onto the court, not for glory, but to honor the woman who had championed her every step of the way.

It was five years ago in July when the Czech tennis star Noskova began her journey in tennis. Just like many players, one of her wishes included playing in one of the biggest platforms of tennis, the Wimbledon! She came close and almost had the chance to continue her reign in the grass courts of Wimbledon for the first time. Unlike last year, this season she easily swept past her first-round opponent, Sara Errani, by defeating her by 6-7, 1-6 on Monday. However, it was only a day before that she lost one of the biggest battles at home. On Sunday, (30th June), Noskova lost her mother after she succumbed to a long fight with a sickness.  

This unfortunate news broke her daughter. But, Linda Noskova did not succumb to sorrow and came back to court again after her first-round victory. This time, on the opposite side of the net, there was Bianca Andreescu, a former World No. 4 player. Noskova tried her best to fulfill her mother’s dream, remembering what she said earlier this year in an interview with Denik when she qualified for the Australian Open quarterfinal. “I’m sick. The long journey itself is exhausting. We watch everything at home, keep our fingers crossed and we are in touch.”

Noskova recalled how her mother was looking forward to seeing her daughter perform her best this season but could not travel with her due to her deterioration in health conditions. The Czech player used all her force, bringing her emotions on-court to shine against the Canadian player. Ultimately she could not win the match. Instead, it ended with the former U.S. Open champion’s victory by 6-3, 7-6 and Noskova went home dejected with an extra layer of sadness inside.

She might not have won the match, but her spot as the second highest ranked Czech tennis player still remains untouched. And her mother, who lived with her daughter in an apartment in Prev, has taken her last breath knowing that. Not only that, she also witnessed her daughter’s commendable victory over the World No. 1 earlier in January, which not only left fans in awe but also resulted in a great boost in Noskova’s confidence.

The time when Linda Noskova qualified for her first Grand Slam quarterfinals

When Linda Noskova stepped into the courts of the Australian Open, she had one thing clear in her head. “I know my game.” And her incredible talent proved what she believed when the 19-year-old prodigy made Iga Swiatek run for points, ultimately overpowering her with a score 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. After the match, Noskova declared, “I knew it’s going to be an amazing match. I don’t really think it would end up like this but I’m just glad to make it through another round.”

Noskova who became the first teenager to outcast a world No. 1 player (since 1999) could not contain her excitement after the match. After reaching the quarterfinals of the event, she further said, “I know that I have improved a lot in the last year and a half. I just believed my game tonightI really wanted this win. I took it very seriously.” Linda Noskova’s reign at Wimbledon might have come to a disappointing end but her love for her mother is something that will forever lighten up her heart!