“I was just partying,” Muchová jokes about her time off before US Open return

I-was-just-partying-Muchova-jokes-about-her-time-off-before-US-Open-return
@Tennis Channel

Key Takeaways

  • Muchová won her first-round match in 58 minutes

  • She returned after a short break following Wimbledon surgery

  • The Czech star recently claimed the US Open mixed doubles title

A fast start in New York

Karolína Muchová opened her US Open campaign with a convincing performance, finishing her first-round match in under an hour. “First match is always tricky, so to be there under an hour and coming out strong, especially in the second set, felt really nice,” she said.

Time off after Wimbledon

Muchová had not played singles since Wimbledon, and when asked what she had been doing, she laughed. “I was just partying,” she joked, before clarifying that she underwent minor surgery and spent time recovering. She explained that the break allowed her to enjoy rare moments at home in Prague. “It was nice weather, I could meet my friends and family. Definitely that was a positive side of it,” she added.

Balancing recovery and preparation

The Czech admitted that while she missed competing, she tried to make the most of her enforced rest. “I felt like I had the momentum and wanted to play, but because I had to be at home, I tried to make the most out of it. I think I did pretty great,” she said, highlighting the mental benefits of stepping away from the tour briefly.

Adjusting to hard courts

Muchová discussed her adaptability across surfaces, noting her strong record on hard courts. “Definitely adjust it, tiny bits. The balls are different, every court is a little bit different. Even if it’s getting lower, being more in the court, playing with more spin or slices, I try to adapt,” she explained. She emphasized that a strong serve and aggressive play are key to her success.

A mixed doubles triumph

Her return to New York was already special after winning the mixed doubles title alongside Jakub Mensik. “It was a lot of fun. We just enjoyed ourselves out there and finished with a trophy, which was unexpected. To have a trophy before the tournament starts was very different, but I loved it,” Muchová said.