How Wimbledon Semi-Finalists Have Found Their Feet on Grass

The 2025 Wimbledon women’s semi-finals are shaping up to be an intriguing contest, with four players who have struggled on grass in the past suddenly finding success. Coco Gauff, Marta Kostyuk, Karolina Muchova, and Linda Noskova have all adapted to the challenges of the grass courts, each bringing their unique experiences to the table.

Gauff’s journey is particularly compelling. The 22-year-old American has won Grand Slam titles on hard courts (US Open) and clay (French Open), but her grass court struggles were well-documented until this year. Her breakthrough at Wimbledon in 2019 as a 15-year-old was followed by two years of struggling to win matches on grass, with her serve and footwork often faltering under pressure.

Gauff’s investment in biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan has paid off, however. By trusting herself and focusing on solid groundstrokes rather than trying to hit spectacular points, she has found a newfound confidence on the grass courts.

Muchova, 29, has also overcome adversity. She was plagued by wrist injuries that forced her to take a 10-month break from tennis last season. Despite being told to stop playing due to pressure on her body, Muchova persevered and is now selling her game with renewed confidence.

Kostyuk’s journey to the semi-finals is remarkable. The 24-year-old Ukrainian was leading the clay-court swing earlier this year but struggled to transfer that form to grass. After an honest chat with coach Sandra Zaniewska, she has found a newfound sense of purpose and conviction on the grass courts.

Noskova’s success is perhaps the most unexpected of all. The 21-year-old Czech has long been touted as a future star but has struggled to deliver consistent results at the majors. Her record is indeed streaky, but this year’s run to the semi-finals suggests that she may finally be finding her groove on grass.

The challenge for these players now is to sustain their newfound success and translate it into wins. Will Gauff’s grass court breakthrough be a turning point in her season? Can Muchova continue to defy expectations after years of struggling with injuries? And will Kostyuk maintain her momentum as she navigates the complexities of the grass surface?

For Noskova, the challenge is to build on this success and establish herself as a consistent top-level player. With her talent and potential already well-documented, it’s now up to her to deliver results that match her abilities.

As we watch these four women take to the grass courts in the semi-finals, it’s clear that they are all writing new chapters in their careers. Each has shown remarkable resilience and determination in overcoming their challenges, and it will be fascinating to see how this translates into their performance on the biggest stage of them all – the Wimbledon final.

The success of these players also raises questions about the broader landscape of women’s tennis. Are they anomalies in an otherwise predictable pattern, or is there a trend emerging towards greater adaptability among top players?

One thing is certain: these semi-finalists have shown us that with hard work, determination, and a willingness to learn from their mistakes, even the most seemingly insurmountable challenges can be overcome.

As we look ahead to Saturday’s final, one question remains: who will emerge victorious on the grass courts of Wimbledon? Will it be Gauff, Muchova, Kostyuk, or Noskova? Whatever the outcome, one thing is clear – these four women have already won something much more valuable than a trophy. They’ve won our admiration and respect for their courage, perseverance, and dedication to their craft.