“Must be the beer”: Linda Nosková sparks hilarious Wimbledon moment with John McEnroe

Saturday, 11 July 2026 at 02:30

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Linda Noskova had John McEnroe laughing during her on-court interview after booking her place in the Wimbledon final, delivering one of the tournament's most memorable off-court moments before offering a more thoughtful explanation for Czech tennis' remarkable success.

After defeating Marta Kostyuk in the semi-finals to secure a place in Saturday’s title match, Nosková was asked by the former world No. 1 about the incredible success of Czech tennis players at Wimbledon.

"It must be the beer,” Nosková said, generating laughter from the Centre Court crowd and prompting McEnroe to praise the answer. The exchange quickly became one of the lighter moments of the tournament, showcasing the personality of a player who has impressed not only with her tennis but also with her confidence on the biggest stage.

Behind the humour, however, Nosková’s run represents another major achievement for Czech tennis. The world No. 12 defeated Kostyuk to reach her maiden Grand Slam final and will now compete for the Wimbledon title against compatriot Karolína Muchová, guaranteeing another Czech champion at the All England Club.

"There's always someone to look up to"

Asked by the seven-time Grand Slam champion what explains the remarkable production line of Czech players at Wimbledon, Noskova initially chose humour over analysis. "If we're going this way, it must be the beer," she joked, prompting laughter from the Centre Court crowd. McEnroe immediately applauded the response, calling it a "great answer" before the interview continued.

After the laughter settled, Noskova credited the country's long tradition of producing elite players, explaining that every new generation grows up believing Grand Slam success is attainable because someone has already done it before.

"No, but honestly, for me, it's always been the history, I guess,” Noskova said. “There was always someone to look up to and say, 'If they can do it, why couldn't I?'"

Linda Noskova at 2026 Madrid Open.

That tradition is especially evident at Wimbledon. Czech champions such as Petra Kvitova, Marketa Vondrousova and Barbora Krejcikova have all lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish in recent years, while Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna remain among the tournament's most iconic champions.

Noskova herself has previously spoken about watching Kvitova win the Wimbledon title as a child, describing it as one of the moments that convinced her a Czech player could always dream of winning at the All England Club.

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This year's final guarantees another chapter in that history. Noskova will face fellow Czech Karolina Muchova, ensuring the Venus Rosewater Dish remains in Czech hands regardless of Saturday's outcome.

While Muchova reached the championship match after saving match point against Coco Gauff in a dramatic semi-final, Noskova has impressed with her own composed run through the draw. Now, after making McEnroe laugh with a memorable one-liner, she has the chance to complete the story by becoming the latest Czech woman to conquer Wimbledon.

Current Czech women in the WTA Top 100

Current Rank	Player	Age	Career-High Ranking
9	Karolína Muchová	29	No. 6
12	Linda Nosková	21	No. 10
23	Marie Bouzková	27	No. 22
36	Kateřina Siniaková	30	No. 27
38	Barbora Krejčíková	30	No. 2
45	Sára Bejlek	20	No. 45
48	Nikola Bartůňková	20	No. 47
54	Tereza Valentová	19	No. 49
73	Karolína Plíšková	34	No. 1
92	Darja Viďmanová	23	No. 92

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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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