One of the latest in a long line of Czech talents, Noskova had been tipped as a future star who could challenge for Grand Slam titles.

She was a highly rated junior who became the youngest player inside the top 100 in 2022 and a run to the Australian Open quarter-finals in 2024 underlined her ability.

Runs at the majors have been rare, but reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon last year made her feel “comfy” on the grass when she returned this year.

Noskova set herself up for a deep run in SW19 by winning the Berlin title last month, while Muchova also claimed a grass-court title at Bad Homburg.

But both players acknowledged in their on-court interviews how difficult Wimbledon has been physically and emotionally.

Noskova had to fight back from match point down in her third-round encounter against Romania’s Sorana Cirstea.

She is only the third player – after Venus Williams in 2005 and Serena Williams in 2009 – to win the Wimbledon women’s singles title from such a position.

If Muchova had completed a scarcely believable comeback, it would have been the second time this tournament she had fought back from match point down after her semi-final win over Coco Gauff.

With her natural craft and guile, Muchova has long been a player loved by fans for her unique talent.

It has felt cruel to see someone with so much ability regularly set back by a succession of injuries, with a wrist problem last year forcing her to temporarily switch to a one-handed backhand.

Perhaps because of her struggles, Muchova received a greater share of the crowd support and was also in tears as she spoke afterwards.

“I will be fighting more. I want the trophy and I hope I can reach the final again and come back and win,” she said.