Jessica Pegula moved by Linda Noskova’s Wimbledon tribute to her late mother after historic title
WTAMonday, 13 July 2026 at 08:30
Jessica Pegula was deeply moved by Linda Nosková’s emotional Wimbledon celebration, but the American’s reaction carried a personal meaning that went beyond the Czech star’s historic achievement at the All England Club.
After winning her first Grand Slam title, Nosková dedicated part of her trophy speech to her late mother, Ivana, who passed away shortly before Wimbledon 2024. The 21-year-old struggled to hold back tears as she reflected on the person who helped shape her journey in tennis and in life.
Pegula later shared a clip of Nosková’s speech on social media, showing her support for the new Wimbledon champion and highlighting a moment that resonated deeply across the tennis world. The American’s reaction was particularly meaningful given her own family’s difficult experience involving her mother, Kim Pegula.
Nosková defeated fellow Czech Karolína Muchová 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 in the Wimbledon final to become the youngest women’s singles champion at the All England Club since Petra Kvitová in 2011. However, beyond the historic achievement, her emotional tribute became one of the defining moments of the tournament.
“There’s also one more person that I would like to thank, which is my mom,” Nosková said during the trophy ceremony. “I definitely would not be standing here without her, so thank you.”
Pegula’s personal connection to Noskova’s emotional Wimbledon moment
The tribute immediately caught Pegula’s attention, with the American sharing the clip and showing empathy toward Nosková’s words. The reaction was not simply about a fellow player celebrating a Grand Slam breakthrough, but about understanding the importance of family support during the most difficult moments.
Pegula has previously spoken openly about her own mother’s health battle. In 2022, shortly after reaching the top 10 for the first time following Roland Garros, the American received devastating news when Kim Pegula suffered a cardiac arrest. "A few days after I got home, I got a call around midnight (on my mom’s birthday) from my sister Kelly who was staying at my parents’ house. Something was wrong with our mom, and she was headed to the hospital in an ambulance."
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Writing for The Players’ Tribune in 2023, Pegula described the moment her family discovered something was wrong and the role her sister Kelly played in saving her mother’s life. "My mom was asleep when my dad woke up to her going into cardiac arrest and she was unresponsive for quite a while. My sister gave her CPR until the ambulance arrived. She saved her life.
"Even though she doesn’t like to take credit for this terrible situation, she absolutely saved her life, followed by the critical job performed by the paramedics who arrived and were able to restore a heartbeat.
The experience became one of the most challenging periods of Pegula’s career, making Nosková’s tribute to her late mother particularly meaningful. While the circumstances were different, both players have spoken about the people behind their journeys and the impact family can have throughout a tennis career.
Noskova completes breakthrough Wimbledon triumph
Nosková’s championship run represented the biggest achievement of her career after an impressive fortnight in London. The Czech defeated players including Sorana Cîrstea, Madison Keys and Marta Kostyuk before overcoming Muchová in the final.
The victory also carried a special Czech connection, as Nosková and Muchová shared the court after previously teaming up as doubles partners at the 2024 Olympic Games. Their final became the first all-Czech Wimbledon women’s singles final in history.
With the title, Nosková entered the WTA top 10 for the first time and joined Pegula among the world’s elite players. But for the 21-year-old, the Wimbledon trophy will always represent more than a career milestone. It became a tribute to the person who helped her believe she could reach that stage.
— Jessie Pegula (@JPegula) July 11, 2026
Jessica Pegula vs Linda Noskova – Head-to-Head (3–1 Noskova)
| Winner | Tournament | Year | Round | Score |
| Linda Noskova | Berlin Tennis Open | 2026 | F | 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 |
| Linda Noskova | China Open (Beijing) | 2025 | SF | 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(6) |
| Jessica Pegula | Bad Homburg Open | 2025 | SF | 6-7(2), 7-5, 6-1 |
| Linda Noskova | Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships | 2025 | R16 | 6-3, 7-6(8) |
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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