AS LINDA NOSKOVA contemplated what would have been the greatest collapse in Wimbledon final history, she could draw on experiences far beyond the confines of a tennis court.

The 21-year-old Czech overcame the loss of a 5-2 lead and five match points in the second set against her friend and countrywoman Karolina Muchova to win 6-2 5-7 6-3 and claim her first grand slam title.

As she held the Rosewater Dish, Noskova emotionally paid tribute to her late mother Ivana, who died from cancer on the eve of Wimbledon two years ago, blowing a kiss to the sky.

“I think she always wanted me to be here, always wanted to see me lift such a trophy,” said Noskova to a small group of reporters late on Saturday as she hurriedly ate a bowl of pasta.

“It still is a dream for her. I’m glad that I could give this whole win to her.”

Remarkably, Noskova played at Wimbledon in 2024 anyway and winning the title is the latest step in a trajectory that has been steadily upward since she claimed the girls’ singles trophy at the French Open five years ago.

In 2022, she was the youngest player in the top 100, and the following year the youngest in the top 50, while last month she broke into the top 10 for the first time after winning her first grass-court title in Berlin.

Noskova gave credit to her experienced coach Tomas Krupa for guiding her through the early stages of her professional career, but her level-headed perspective also comes from within.

Noskova is not your average young tennis player. An avid wrestling fan as a child, the 21-year-old is passionate about environmental issues and shunned a beach holiday at the end of last season in favour of volunteering at a school in Zanzibar.

The young Czech, who admitted her team were not keen on her plan, slept in a dormitory and kept her profession a secret.

“I feel like these things that I care deeply about give me a different perspective on the privileges that I have, on the lifestyle that I have,” she said.

“I always try to go back with my mind and remember all the kids that are not as lucky as me. If I’m having a bad time, I always think it could be worse.”

Noskova is eyeing up another volunteering break helping the natural world, while she has vowed to continue supporting the school in Zanzibar where she taught.

Noskova has not yet decided how to spend her prize money of £3.6 million, adding: “I did not think about prize money at all but I’m not a big spender. I never like to put my money into a dress or a bag, so it’s not going to go into materialistic things.”

The rankings today will show Noskova sitting seventh in the world, and her next task is to ensure her maiden grand slam title is a springboard rather than a millstone.

“These two weeks have been so emotional and so strong that I first have to realise this so I can step over it and start all over again,” she said.