Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova returns to US Open with a 'start all over' mindset

New York – Linda Noskova walked into the press room at Flushing Meadows with a reserved smile. She is the Wimbledon champion, the world No. 6, and one of the most talked-about names in women’s tennis. Yet her message was simple: she wants to start again. A few weeks ago, Noskova defeated Karolina Muchova to win her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon. At 21, she became the youngest Wimbledon champion in 15 years, a feat that lifted her from No. 12 to a career-high No. 6 in the WTA rankings. The aftermath brought meetings with the Czech president, television appearances and endless media requests. Noskova insists she has not changed. “I really want to stay the same. I don’t want to change many things because what worked got me here,” she said. The US Open is her first Grand Slam since that triumph. She opens against American Katie Volynets, ranked 78th, on Court 11. The scheduling is notable for a top-six seed and reigning Wimbledon champion, but it may also reduce early pressure. On the technical side, the transition from grass to hard courts will test her movement and serve-based aggression. Hard courts reward consistency and lateral footwork more than Wimbleddon’s low, quick bounce. Historical precedents are mixed: Petra Kvitova backed up her 2026 Wimbledon title with another in 2026, while other first-time major champions struggled to repeat. A major concern is Noskova’s ranking structure – 2,000 of her points come from Wimbledon, leaving her vulnerable if she cannot produce deep runs elsewhere before the 2026 defense window. For now, Noskova chooses to talk about process, not expectations. She will try to “redo what she did” at Wimbledon, beginning with a focused first-round performance. Whether she can truly ignore the weight of her new status will be the most interesting story of her US Open campaign.