Hardly anybody gave Karolina Muchova any chance when she faced Iga Swiatek for the women’s singles championship at the French Open last Saturday. It wasn’t simply that she carried a largely undistinguished record in 10 years as a pro to her first Grand Slam final; she reached her highest world ranking in 2021, and, since then, endured a roller-coaster ride that had her 24 spots lower to 43rd heading into the title clash. It was that she faced the clear-cut World Number One and reigning queen of Roland Garros, whose relatively easy journey to the set-to included four bagels and no loss of sets.
Still, it would have been foolhardy to contend that Muchova was not prepared for the challenge. She had a harder time en route, but if there was anything she showed throughout, it was that she made up for in resolve what she lacked in talent. In fact, she was likewise highly motivated, having proven her worth with a hard-fought victory against second seed Aryna Sabelanka in the semifinal round; the three-set triumph featured two tiebreakers and 12 games in the decider. Which is to say the confidence she bore across the net from Swiatek was far from irrational.
In the end, though, Muchova finished just a little short of her objective. Considering how her bridesmaid finish was crafted, she could well be tempted to note the wasted opportunity. Indeed, she led 2-0 and 4-3 in the third set, providing fodder for myriad What Ifs and Could Have Beens. Nonetheless, to engage in regret would be tantamount to wallowing in pity — and, certainly, there is no shame in her effort. And, in retrospect, she gains what she hitherto did not have: experience. No doubt, she will do better the next time around.
True, tennis is such an exacting sport that Muchova cannot be sure of getting another opportunity. Not even Swiatek, with a perfect 4-0 slate in major finals, has that luxury. All the same, the best that she can do is do her best. Which she did, and which she will. And the next time she finds herself under the klieg lights, she can rely on institutional memory to guide her. This is what she bought with her accomplishment — a priceless perk into the realm of royalty, and a lasting longing that should motivate her to exceed herself anew.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.