Jessica Pegula mounted a spirited comeback to outlast fellow American Emma Navarro 6-7 (2), 6-2, 6-1 on Friday, booking her spot in the China Open semifinals. The win sets up a clash with 27th seed Linda Noskova, where victory for Pegula would secure an all-American final in Beijing against either defending champion Coco Gauff or Amanda Anisimova. Reflecting on her performance, the fifth seed said, “She did a good job of staying tough, but at the same time I felt I was playing the right way.” For Pegula, the momentum couldn’t be better as she aims to break new ground on Chinese soil.

On the other side, rising Czech star Linda Noskova powered past Britain’s Sonay Kartal 6-3, 6-4, denying the unseeded youngster a dream run in her first-ever WTA 1000 quarterfinal. Kartal had stunned world No. 5 Mirra Andreeva earlier in the tournament, but Noskova’s poise proved too much. Now, as the tennis world eagerly awaits tomorrow’s China Open semifinals, it’s worth stepping off court for a moment to explore the story of Linda Noskova’s parents, whose support and guidance have been instrumental in shaping her into the player she is today. So, let’s dive in and take a closer look.

Who are Linda Noskova’s parents?

Linda Noskova was born in 2004 to parents Drahos Nosek and Ivana Noskova, both reportedly of Czech origin. As their only child, Linda has always enjoyed the unwavering support of her parents throughout her career. In fact, it was under her father’s guidance that she first picked up a racquet at the age of six or seven and began her tennis journey.

A year later, she began training in Valašské Meziříčí. Soon after, the renowned club TK Na Dolina welcomed her into its team in Trojanovice near Frenštát pod Radhoštěm when she was just ten. By 2018, she had relocated to Přerov to further pursue her tennis journey. Anyway, while little is known about Drahos Nosek’s professional life, the question remains – what about her mother?

Linda Noskova’s mother had her eyes set on Wimbledon

While preparing for her second Wimbledon in 2024, Linda Noskova endured the saddest day of her life – the loss of her beloved mother. For Noskova, just like her father, her mother also had always been her greatest supporters, often traveling alongside her during WTA tours and providing constant encouragement.

In January last year, after Noskova reached the Australian Open quarterfinals, her late mother Ivana spoke to Denik Sport about her emotions. Although proud of her daughter’s achievement, Ivana admitted she couldn’t be there in person. “Certainly not (about traveling to Melbourne for the Australian Open), even if she played the final. I am sick, the long journey itself is exhausting. We watch everything at home, keep our fingers crossed and stay connected. Over the years, we have traveled a lot together,” she said.

Ivana had been battling cancer for a long time, and her health struggles prevented her from traveling to Melbourne. Still, she hoped to see her daughter give her very best. Noskova honored that spirit on court, fighting hard to defeat Sara Errani in the opening round at Wimbledon. However, her campaign ended in the second round with a loss to Bianca Andreescu. Even so, the young Czech player’s determination reflected her mother’s enduring influence.

The timing of Ivana’s passing, just before Wimbledon, weighed heavily on Noskova. Earlier in January, her mother had expressed a heartfelt desire to join her daughter in London. In the same Denik Sport interview, when asked if there was a particular tournament she wanted to attend, Ivana replied with emotion: “I’m really looking forward to Wimbledon!”

Ultimately, Linda Noskova’s Wimbledon run came to an abrupt and early end, yet she still retained her position as the number two player from Czechia. Though her mother never got the chance to sit courtside in London, Ivana passed away knowing her daughter had already established herself among the nation’s brightest tennis talents. And for Noskova, those memories, and her mother’s unwavering pride, will remain a guiding force.