2024 was a frustratingly typical season for Karolina Muchova. Injuries, and lots of them, with some world class tennis sandwiched in between. Finals in Palmero plus Beijing plus a run to the US Open semifinal means she still sits an impressive #22 in the rankings. Nevertheless, it has still been somewhat of a “what could’ve been” season.<\/p>\n
For Muchova 2023 was a career best season. She reach the Roland Garros final, the US Open semifinal and consequently qualified for the WTA finals. Her tennis at times was spell-binding, at times a hybrid between craftiness like Roger Federer and the grit of one who has had to fight so many off-court battles. You guessed it though, she missed out through injury.<\/p>\n
Her composure posed a threat to anyone on the big stage, meanwhile her incredibly effective backhand slice separated her from most of the WTA Tour.<\/p>\n
We had to wait until the grass season to catch our first glimpse of the twenty-eight year old. The two-time Wimbledon quarterfinalist made it three consecutive first round exits on the prestigious grass courts. She showed signs of rust throughout her first round exit to a resurging Paula Badosa and really struggled to implement her game style on to the Spaniard’s. To see her outplayed so comfortably on the backhand wing was a sign just how far she was from her A-game, all be it understandably so.<\/p>\n
Back on the clay, where she has the memories of taking Iga Swiatek to three sets on Court Philippe Chatrier, she began to build some momentum. In Palmero, she reached the final, losing just a set in the process before facing Zheng Qinwen. Although she would lose a closely fought battle, with Zheng just weeks from lifting Olympic gold, this result was nothing to be ashamed of.<\/p>\n