Linda Noskova recovers from 2nd-set meltdown to win Wimbledon and claim her 1st Grand Slam title

LONDON (AP) — Linda Noskova is the latest in a long line of Czech women to win Wimbledon.

The 21-year-old Noskova recovered from a second-set meltdown in which she wasted five match points to overcome Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 in an all-Czech final on Saturday for her first Grand Slam trophy.

When Noskova finally won it with a service winner on her sixth match point, she covered her face and dropped down to the grass on her back.

“It’s never easy to get the last point," Noskova said. "Karo, you really made me work for it.”

Noskova became the third Czech woman in four years to win the grass-court major, after Marketa Vondrousova in 2023 and Barbora Krejcikova in 2024.

Muchova and Noskova played doubles together at the 2024 Paris Olympics and finished fourth.

“I am so glad that I could play my first Grand Slam final with you,” Noskova told Muchova during her victory speech. “We made history today. I believe that all our Czech fans at home are proud of us, so no matter the result today I think it was a good day for both of us.”

Petra Kvitova, who won Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014, was in attendance, as was the greatest Czech-born player of them all, Martina Navratilova — who won a record nine singles titles at the All England Club.

Navratilova looked on from the Royal Box, where she was seated next to Kate, the Princess of Wales, who presented the Venus Rosewater Dish trophy to Noskova.

Noskova grew emotional during her victory speech when she mentioned her mother, who died two years ago.

“I definitely would not be standing here without her, so thank you,” said Noskova, who then looked up and blew a kiss to the sky.

Navratilova wiped away tears listening to Noskova's tribute to her mother.

Moments earlier, Muchova began her runner-up speech by calling Noskova “my ex-friend.

“I’m kidding, obviously,” Muchova quickly added. “You’re so young and this was your first final of a Grand Slam and the way you handled it ... was really unbelievable. ... You deserve it.”

It was the 29-year-old Muchova's second Grand Slam final after getting beat by Iga Swiatek at the French Open in 2023.

In the men’s final on Sunday, top-ranked Jannik Sinner will attempt to defend his title against French Open champion Alexander Zverev.

Noskova led 5-2 in the second set before she lost five straight games to send it to a third.

When Noskova wasted a chance to serve it out at 5-3 in the second, she placed fingers in both ears to drown out the crowd noise on the changeover. Then she draped one of Wimbledon’s strawberry-red towels over her head after she dropped her serve again to give Muchova a 6-5 lead and a chance for her opponent to serve it out — which Muchova did.

It’s Noskova’s second grass title of the season after beating Jessica Pegula in the Berlin Open final three weeks ago.

But as this match displayed, it hasn’t been all straightforward. Noskova saved a match point in the third set of her third-round match against Sorana Cirstea.

The 12th-ranked Noskova will climb to No. 7 — a new career-high — when the next rankings are released on Monday.

Jana Novotna, one of Noskova’s first coaches, also won Wimbledon (in 1998).

Now Noskova is the youngest woman to win Wimbledon since Kvitova was also 21 in 2011.

And it marks the second consecutive Grand Slam won by a player 21 or younger after Mirra Andreeva claimed the French Open at 19 last month. It’s the first time that’s happened for Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year since Justine Henin and Serena Williams, respectively, claimed those titles in 2003.

AP Sports Writer Ken Maguire contributed.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Linda Noskova of Czech Republic, back to the camera, and Karolina Muchova of Czech Republic hug each other at the end of the women's singles final at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Linda Noskova of Czech Republic receives the champion trophy from Britain's Princess Kate after defeating Karolina Muchova of Czech Republic the women's singles final at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Linda Noskova of Czech Republic poses with the trophy after winning against Karolina Muchova of Czech Republic in the women's singles final at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Linda Noskova of Czech Republic reacts after winning against Karolina Muchova of Czech Republic in the women's singles final at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Linda Noskova of Czech Republic reacts after winning against Karolina Muchova of Czech Republic in the women's singles final at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Karolina Muchova of Czech Republic returns the ball to Linda Noskova of Czech Republic in the women's singles final at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Linda Noskova of Czech Republic returns the ball to Karolina Muchova of Czech Republicin the women's singles final at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Linda Noskova of Czech Republic reacts as she heads towards her chair after losing the second set against Karolina Muchova of Czech Republic in the women's singles final at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Linda Noskova of Czech Republic celebrates a point against Karolina Muchova of Czech Republic in the women's singles final at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Linda Noskova of Czech Republic celebrates a point against Karolina Muchova of Czech Republic in the women's singles final at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic drops her racket as she reacts to winning against Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in their semifinal women's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic serves against Coco Gauff of the United States in their semifinal women's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic serves against Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in their semifinal women's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic returns the ball to Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates a point against in their semifinal women's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — World champion South Africa survived an impressively stubborn Scotland 42-28 in a thrilling Nations Championship contest at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The Springboks led 14-0 and 35-14 but had to withstand relentless Scotland attacks which frequently backed up the home side into its 22.

South Africa missed a remarkable 46 tackles but Scotland lacked a clinical touch and kept letting the host off the hook.

Scotland fought back to tie the match 14-14 by halftime and close to 35-28 with 10 minutes to go. It had a four-try bonus point and was within another converted try.

Then another Scot was suddenly running into space, Magnus Bradbury. Tom Jordan sent a kickpass toward the right touchline but wing Kyle Steyn spilled it under pressure.

Almost inevitably, Handre Pollard put a grubber in behind Scotland that was scooped up by center Jesse Kriel, who bumped off two Scots to secure the Boks victory with three minutes left.

The Boks are two for two in the championship with Wales coming next weekend, while Scotland go home to face Fiji consoled with its most points against South Africa since the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

There was no chance Scotland would be taken by surprise at kickoff, like England was last weekend at Ellis Park. Instead, Scotland stunned the Springboks by surging into the 22 twice. Both chances were blown by a double movement and crooked throw-in.

The Springboks made 10 changes after the 45-21 defeat of England and responded to Scotland through scrum penalties. No. 8 Evan Roos was held up but scrumhalf Embrose Papier scooted in for his first test try. The try of the match followed.

Prop Boan Venter held above his head 116-kilogram lock Cobus Wiese to catch the restart, then carried him forward to hit the ground running. Wiese bowled over three Scots and took down two more. Roos completed the try.

Scotland was unbowed. Three more chances in the South Africa 22 went begging until a tap penalty finished with Matt Fagerson crashing over in the 35th minute.

Right on halftime, captain Sione Tuipulotu took Finn Russell's offload up the middle and sent wing Kyle Rowe free to the line for the tying try.

South Africa gave Scotland another opening to start the new half when Ben-Jason Dixon was sin-binned for head contact in a ruck.

But Scotland couldn't take advantage, including getting over the tryline once.

The Boks weren't so wasteful. Elrigh Louw, on for Roos, powered over after 12 phases; Damian Willemse stepped and reached out to score; and prop Zac Porthen capped a devastating nine minutes with a try from the back of a ruck. All were converted and South Africa looked out of sight at 35-14.

But another break by Scotland lock Scott Cummings sent Josh Bayliss haring to the posts, and two minutes later scrumhalf Ben White was stretched to the full to score. Scotland was back in it yet again and the Loftus crowd were silenced yet again.

But Scotland finished as it started and missed a chance at beating the Boks outside Scotland for the first time.

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

South Africa's captain Pieter-Steph du Toit, right, claims the ball in the lineout against Scotland's Scott Cummings during the Nations Championship Test rugby match between South Africa and Scotland, in Pretoria, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Scotland's Kyle Steyn, right, jumps for the ball with South Africa's Aphelele Fassi during the Nations Championship Test rugby match between South Africa and Scotland, in Pretoria, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Scotland's Pierre Schoeman, top, is tackled by South Africa's captain Pieter-Steph du Toit, right, and his teammate Wilco Louw during the Nations Championship Test rugby match between South Africa and Scotland, in Pretoria, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

South Africa's Jesse Kriel, center, celebrates with his teammates after scoring a try during the Nations Championship Test rugby match between South Africa and Scotland, in Pretoria, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)