Who is Linda Noskova? Everything to know about the 2026 Wimbledon champion
Linda Noskova, the new Wimbledon champion at 21, has a story built on a small Czech village, a septum piercing for luck, and a friendship-turned-rivalry with fellow finalist Karolina Muchova.
Linda Noskova, Wimbledon 2026 | © Action Plus / PsNewz
Who is Linda Noskova?
Linda Noskova is a professional tennis player from the Czech Republic. She was born on November 17, 2004 and grew up in the Vsetin region. She made famous in the tennis world defeating Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open 2024 and and more globally by winning Wimbledon 2026.
Did Linda Noskova win Wimbledon 2026?
Yes. The No.9 seed defeated No.10 seed Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 in the first all-Czech Grand Slam final of the Open Era. At 21, Noskova is the youngest Wimbledon champion since fellow Czech Petra Kvitova in 2011, and the third Czech winner of the title in four years, after Marketa Vondrousova (2023) and Barbora Krejcikova (2024).
How old is Linda Noskova?
Noskova was born on November 17, 2004, making her 21 at the time of her Wimbledon triumph.
Where is Linda Noskova from?
She was born in Vsetín, in the Czech Republic. She has described growing up in a small village surrounded by forest, which she credits for a lifelong interest in nature and the environment.
Who are Linda Noskova’s parents?
Noskova’s parents are Ivana Noskova and Drahos Nosek, from the small town of Bystřička in the Vsetín district. Her father, a retired railway employee, first put a racquet in her hands around age six or seven and remains a regular presence in her player box. Her mother, who ran a clothing shop in the family’s hometown, passed away in July 2024 after a long illness.
Noskova paid tribute to her in Wimbledon’s trophy ceremony: “There’s also one more person I would like to thank, which is my mom. I definitely would not be standing here without her, so thank you.”
What is Linda Noskova’s ranking?
Noskova reached a career-high ranking of world No.10 in June 2026 after winning her first WTA title on grass, in Berlin. The Wimbledon title lifts her to a new career-high inside the world’s top 10.
Who is Linda Noskova’s coach?
She is coached by Tomas Krupa.
What titles has Linda Noskova won?
Her Wimbledon crown is her first Grand Slam title. Before that, she had won two WTA singles titles – Berlin in 2026, her first on grass, and Monterrey in 2024, her maiden Tour title, on hard courts – plus a WTA doubles title in Berlin alongside Ekaterina Alexandrova.
As a junior, she won the girls’ singles title at Roland-Garros in 2021.
Did Linda Noskova ever beat Iga Swiatek?
Yes. Aged 19, Noskova stunned world No 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek in the third round of the 2024 Australian Open for the biggest win of her career. The win put her into the second week at a Grand Slam for the first time.
She then backed that up with victory over Elina Svitolina, who retired injured after just three games during their fourth-round encounter.
Noskova went out in straight sets to Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska in the quarter-final.
How is Linda Noskova connected to Karolina Muchova?
Beyond both being Czech and Saturday’s Wimbledon finalists, Noskova and Muchova partnered in women’s doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they finished fourth. Noskova has said the pair got to know each other well during that week together, and the two called each other friends in Saturday’s trophy ceremony.
What is the story behind Noskova’s septum piercing?
Noskova has worn a septum piercing on and off since the start of 2026, keeping it in through the Australian and Middle East swings before removing it for the clay season, partly out of concern that clay dust would be tougher on it. She put it back in for the grass season, saying she feels it brings her good luck.
What sports did Linda Noskova play growing up?
Tennis began as a family hobby – her parents played for fun, and she started out running around the court as a young child. She also did gymnastics, horse riding and track and field, saying she had six to eight childhood hobbies before settling on tennis. She has described herself as an aggressive, big-hitting groundstroker since as young as eight or nine years old.
Who is Linda Noskova’s tennis idol?
She has named Serena Williams as her favorite player. As a teenager, she also looked up to Czech greats Petra Kvitova, Karolina Pliskova and Barbora Strycova, the country’s current Billie Jean King Cup captain.
Why do so many Czech women win Wimbledon?
Noskova has called it “a tradition at this point,” pointing to the strength of the country’s tennis schools and coaching, despite its small population. Wimbledon’s Open Era champions include fellow Czechs Martina Navratilova, Jana Novotna, Petra Kvitova, Marketa Vondrousova and Barbora Krejcikova – with Noskova now the sixth name on that list.
