Karolína Muchová
Karolína Muchová is a Czech tennis player. She first rose to prominence at the 2018 US Open, defeating world No. 12 and two-time Grand Slam champion Garbiñe Muguruza in the second round. The following year, Muchová would reach her first Slam quarterfinal at Wimbledon after upsetting world No. 3 and tournament favourite Karolína Plíšková.
On 28 October 2019, she achieved her career-high singles ranking of world No. 21. On 24 February 2020, she peaked at No. 344 in the doubles rankings.
Her father is Czech footballer Josef Mucha.
Career
Muchová made her WTA Tour main-draw debut at the 2017 Korea Open after defeating Lee So-ra and Anna Morgina in qualifying. She made her main-draw debut at a Grand Slam event at the 2018 US Open winning three qualifying matches. After winning her opening-match against Dayana Yastremska, Muchová upset two-time major champion and 12th seed Garbiñe Muguruza in the second round to score her first top-100 victory, advancing to the third round of the tournament.Her first WTA final came at the 2019 Prague Open, where she lost to Jil Teichmann. Her performance was enough to take her for the first time into the top 100 of the WTA rankings. In June she beat Anett Kontaveit to reach the second round of the French Open, where she lost to Irina-Camelia Begu. In July, she reached the quarter-final of Wimbledon, beating third seed Karolína Plíšková 13–11 in the final set of their fourth round match, which lasted over three hours. She became the first player to reach the quarter-finals at her Wimbledon debut since Li Na in 2006. In the quarterfinal, Muchová lost to Elina Svitolina. Her maiden WTA title came at 2019 Korea Open, where she defeated Magda Linette in the final.
Playing style
Muchová is an aggressive all-court player, possessing an intelligent game with exceptional variety. She has powerful groundstrokes from both wings, using both her forehand and backhand to hit winners from any position on the court. She has been praised for her ability to incorporate softer shots, such as drop shots, lobs, and sliced backhands, into her game, constantly breaking up the pace of baseline rallies, and being able to hit winners with these typically defensive shots. She possesses a strong serve, with her first serve peaking at 110 mph and averaging 103 mph, allowing her to serve aces frequently; she also possesses a second serve that, despite averaging 83 mph, possesses a high amount of topspin, meaning that it can be deployed effectively without being attacked by aggressive players. Muchová is also proficient at defending her second serve. Her footwork, speed, and anticipation allow her to be one of the strongest return players on the WTA Tour. As a result of her exemplary fitness, she is capable of sustaining long rallies, and is an effective counterpuncher, extending rallies until she can create an opportunity to hit a winner. Due to her doubles experience, Muchová is a strong net player, and is one of the strongest volleyers on tour, frequently approaching the net to finish off points. Throughout 2019, her breakout season, she was praised for her style of play by Mats Wilander, who stated that she could "achieve great things". With her on-court demeanour, fluid style, grace, and variety, she has been compared by some commentators to Justine Henin and Roger Federer.Endorsements
Muchová is sponsored by Adidas for her clothing, and by Head for her rackets.Performance timeline
Only main-draw results in WTA Tour, Grand Slam, Fed Cup and Olympic Games are included in win–loss records.Singles
Current through the suspension of the 2020 WTA Tour.Notes
- The first Premier 5 event of the year has switched back and forth between the Dubai Tennis Championships and the Qatar Open since 2009. Dubai was classified as a Premier 5 event from 2009–2011 before being succeeded by Doha for the 2012–2014 period. In 2015, Dubai regained its Premier 5 status while Doha was demoted to Premier status. The two tournaments have since alternated status every year.
- 2014: WTA Ranking – 733,
2015: WTA Ranking – 419.WTA finals
Singles: 2 (1 title, 1 runner-up)
| Result | W–L | Date | Tournament | Tier | Surface | Opponent | Score |
| Loss | 0–1 | 2019 J&T Banka Prague Open – Singles| | Prague Open, Czech Republic | International | Clay |  Jil Teichmann | 6–7, 6–3, 4–6 |
| Win | 1–1 | 2019 Korea Open – Singles| | Korea Open, South Korea | International | Hard |  Magda Linette | 6–1, 6–1 |
ITF Circuit finals
Singles: 10 (2 titles, 8 runner–ups)
| Result | W–L | Date | Tournament | Tier | Surface | Opponent | Score |
| Win | 1–0 | Aug 2014 | ITF Michalovce, Slovakia | 10,000 | Clay |  Jana Jablonovská | 6–3, 6–1 |
| Loss | 1–1 | Feb 2016 | ITF Trnava, Slovakia | 10,000 | Hard |  Ekaterina Alexandrova | 1–6, 3–6 |
| Loss | 1–2 | Mar 2016 | ITF Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt | 10,000 | Hard | Anna Morgina | 6–1, 0–6, 3–6 |
| Win | 2–2 | Mar 2016 | ITF Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt | 10,000 | Hard | Anastasiya Komardina | 6–0, 6–2 |
| Loss | 2–3 | May 2016 | ITF Hódmezővásárhely, Hungary | 25,000 | Clay |  Tamara Zidanšek | 6–4, 2–6, 4–6 |
| Loss | 2–4 | Jun 2016 | ITF Essen, Germany | 50,000 | Clay |  Sara Sorribes Tormo | 6–7, 4–6 |
| Loss | 2–5 | Jul 2017 | ITF Prague, Czech Republic | 80,000 | Clay |  Markéta Vondroušová | 5–7, 1–6 |
| Loss | 2–6 | ITF Altenkirchen, Germany | 25,000 | Carpet |  Harriet Dart | 6–7, 2–6 | |
| Loss | 2–7 | 2018 Engie Open de Seine-et-Marne – Singles| | ITF Croissy-Beaubourg, France | 60,000 | Hard | Anna Blinkova | w/o |
| Loss | 2–8 | Jul 2018 | ITF Olomouc, Czech Republic | 80,000+H | Clay |  Fiona Ferro | 4–6, 4–6 |
Doubles: 3 (1 title, 2 runner–ups)
| Result | W–L | Date | Tournament | Tier | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
| Win | 1–0 | Sep 2014 | ITF Hluboká nad Vltavou, Czech Republic | 10,000 | Clay | Jana Jablonovská | Veronika Kolářová Petra Krejsová | 7–6, 7–5 |
| Loss | 1–1 | Nov 2014 | ITF Zawada, Poland | 25,000 | Carpet | Gabriela Chmelinová |  Anhelina Kalinina Anna Shkudun | 0–6, 6–7 |
| Loss | 1–2 | Mar 2017 | ITF Antalya, Turkey | 15,000 | Clay | Barbora Miklová | Anastasia Frolova Alena Tarasova | 5–7, 1–6 |