Coco Gauff and other Wimbledon semi-finalists excel on grass in 2026

On July 9, 2026, Wimbledon semi-finalists including Coco Gauff and Marta Kostyuk have surprisingly thrived on grass courts, leading to a guaranteed first-time women's champion this Saturday. Gauff, despite her past struggles on grass, has found her rhythm, while Kostyuk, Muchova, and Noskova have also overcome their own challenges to reach this pivotal stage.

Coco Gauff's Journey to the Semi-Finals

At just 22, Coco Gauff has already clinched Grand Slam titles at the US Open and French Open. However, she admitted that her relationship with grass courts has been complicated. Despite not winning a match on grass for two years before this tournament, Gauff's determination to improve has paid off. She stated, "I have really honed in on my game and realised I don't have to play a spectacular point every time to win." This new mindset, along with the guidance of biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan, has proved crucial.

Gauff's impressive athleticism allows her to maneuver quickly across the court, yet her footwork has historically hindered her performance. With a focus on consistency, she aims to leverage her groundstrokes effectively against her opponents.

Muchova's Resilience and Craft

Karolina Muchova, aged 29, is another semi-finalist who has turned her fortunes around at Wimbledon. After a series of early exits since 2021, she has demonstrated resilience and creativity on the grass. Muchova expressed her gratitude for being able to compete, stating, "I’m appreciating more that I’m here, I can play, I don’t have these big issues that I had in the past." Her journey has been marked by injury setbacks, including a wrist injury that sidelined her for ten months.

Muchova's ability to adapt her game to the grass surface has been crucial. Her unique style, characterized by variety and creativity, has allowed her to excel in this year's tournament, culminating in a pivotal win over Naomi Osaka.

Kostyuk and Noskova's Confidence Boost

Marta Kostyuk, 24, has also made headlines this tournament. After a successful clay-court season, she returned to Wimbledon with newfound confidence. Despite not playing a tournament before Wimbledon, Kostyuk relied on the supportive words of her coach, Sandra Zaniewska, who assured her that grass suited her game. Kostyuk remarked, "That gave me something to hold onto." This belief has translated into her performance on the court.

Linda Noskova, the youngest semi-finalist at 21, has emerged as a promising talent in women's tennis. After a strong showing at the Australian Open in 2024, she has continued to build her confidence on grass. Noskova noted, "I feel like I started to feel comfortable on grass last year." With a recent title win in Berlin, she is poised for continued success.

• Coco Gauff: 22 years old, Grand Slam titles at US Open and French Open
• Karolina Muchova: 29 years old, first-time Wimbledon semi-finalist
• Marta Kostyuk: 24 years old, clay-court success before Wimbledon
• Linda Noskova: 21 years old, youngest semi-finalist