Czech Karolina Muchova, who is playing in the final of a tennis grand slam tournament for the first time, will challenge the world number one, Poland’s Iga Swiatek.
Czech player Karolina Muchova has become the super surprise of the French Open tennis tournament. On Saturday, Muchova, ranked 43rd in the world, will play in the final of a grand slam tournament for the first time in her career.
Injuries have plagued the 26-year-old Muchova, whose playing career was seriously interrupted just over a year ago. The Czech, who had to withdraw from the Australian Open, had suffered from back, stomach and ankle injuries. He received arresting statements from doctors.
– Some doctors told me that I might never play sports again. But I wanted to stay positive and work hard to come back, Muchova said after her French Open semi-final win on the BBC website.
Muchova’s game in France has been exemplary. The way to Saturday’s final match opened when the Belarusian Arina Sabalenka fell in the semifinals of the tournament.
– There have been many downs, injuries have followed each other. There are always ups and downs in life. But now I enjoy being on the better side, Muchova said about her mood.
After the dark times, success tastes even better.
– Everything has its time. Since it hasn’t been easy in the past, I can appreciate such results even more highly. I know what I’ve had to go through, Muchova thought.
Aboard the world’s number one player
Prior to her success in France, Muchova’s best Grand Slam-level tournament was the 2021 Australian Open, where she reached the top four. Now the first career grand slam tournament final match is ahead.
The opponent in the final match is less surprising, as Muchova challenges the reigning French Open champion and world number one, Poland By Iga Swiatek.
Swiatek is seeking his third title in France in four years. If surprise Czech Muchova falls in the final, Swiatek will become the first player to repeat the women’s singles title at the French Open since the Belgian Justine Henin and the year 2007.
Muchova and Swiatek have met once before. Muchova won in 2019 in the middle of the match played in Prague. But now the two collide in a bigger setting, in one of the top events of the tennis season.