Karolina Muchova will represent the Czech Republic camp at this year’s Olympic games in both doubles and singles action. She joins a nation brimming with talent as the likes of Barbora Krejcikova (reigning Wimbledon champion), Katerina Siniakova and Linda Noskova aim to rack up the medal count. Muchova comes in with a spring in her step comes after reaching the Palermo final. It was a week of excellent tennis that would ultimately end as Qinwen Zheng narrowly edged her out over three sets.
Karolina Muchova at the Paris Olympics
Her debut Games
Muchova comes under the bracket of a “what-if” story. In an ideal world free from the burden of injuries, Muchova could be consistently at the top end of the game and fighting for the biggest prizes, on talent alone she is among the elite. We don’t live in an ideal world though and she has had to contend with a fair share of knock-backs.
This is further illustrated as at the age of 28, she makes her Olympic debut. Sure, she is a seasoned professional; however, a lack of experience in such a unique environment may weigh on her heavily. Leylah Fernandez isn’t someone you want to give an inch–she will take a yard.
A career-best 2023
When the opening round draw is made seeds often breathe a sigh of relief when Muchova’s name is pulled out of the hat to face someone else. Despite her ranking being low at times, when she gets a run of matches without fitness issues, she is incredibly dangerous.
We’ve seen it in spells over the years. She displayed her potential in a run to the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2019. In 2021 she took an even bigger step as she reached the Australian Open semifinal and backed it up with a second career Wimbledon quarterfinal.
It was 2023 when all the pieces of the jigsaw came together nicely. At Roland Garros she played the best tennis of her career, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in a run to the final where Iga Swiatek would prove just too hot to handle.
She backed up this form, as she reached the Cincinnati final where Coco Gauff proved to be too strong. In New York she reached her third Grand Slam semifinal as she once again lost to the eventual winner Coco Gauff 6-4 7-5. Gauff had her number. Muchova loves to counter punch herself, but that also happens to be the American’s bread and butter game plan.
Typical poor luck
Just when she was finally picking up some momentum another injury struck. She would undergo surgery on her right wrist and was kept out of action until June this season at Eastbourne. She was able to play two matches in the South of England before losing early to Paula Badosa in straight sets in the Wimbledon opening round.
On the clay courts of Palermo she seemed to have re-discovered her mojo. A run to the final, which saw simple wins such as an opening round dismantling of Katarzyna Kawa and semifinal 6-1 6-1 win over Irina-Camelia Begu, also included a double tiebreak marathon against Astra Sharma and a three-sets win over Noma Noha Akugue.
The variety and power in her game were all on display and such a positive run will have really helped from a confidence point of view and re-instilling some belief.
What this means
So, heading into the Olympics we are in a similar situation with Muchova. It’s all about how fit she can stay.
Her game is so strong when in full flow. The biggest strength in a way is her lack of weakness. A forehand with incredible depth, a low bouncing backhand slice and a serve so fine-tuned, what else could one want? Not only can she real off aces, but her second serve is so reliable thanks to the spin she can generate which allows for a slower pace without the fear of being attacked.
On the forehand and backhand wing she can switch from attack to defense so quickly, especially on the backhand wing.
With such a well rounded game it’s no surprise that her career highlights have come on all three surfaces.
Thankfully for this Olympics though, her best results have come on the clay. Her level against Aryna Sabalenka where she came from 5-2 down in the third set was simply world class, as was her display against Swiatek.
A contender
Karolina Muchova falls into a bracket that many women do in this draw. Iga Swiatek is so far in front in Paris that it feels as though it’s her against the world. The World #1 will be major favorite; however, apart from her, there aren’t many who will fancy their chances against a fully-firing Muchova.
She will also partner Linda Noskova in doubles. The nineteen-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough season which sees her sit in the world’s top thirty. The main highlight was when she shocked Iga Swiatek at this year’s Australian Open. It’s a nicely balanced pairing with youth and experience at the forefront.
Fingers crossed she can stay off the treatment table. If so we could witness something special in either event.
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
