Roland Garros Finalist Muchova Played With 'Same Disease As Rybakina' According to Coach

| by Alex Waite

Karolina Muchova's coach, Emil Miske, revealed that the Roland Garros finalist was struggling with a lung condition throughout the Grand Slam event.

Despite her condition, Muchova reached the Roland Garros final, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-final before eventually losing to world number one Iga Swiatek. In addition, the Czech player performed valiantly in the final match, where she lost in three sets against Swiatek.

Muchova's achievements were made even more impressive by her illness throughout the French Open, which also affected Elena Rybakina, who withdrew from the competition. After Muchova's final run, Miske explained to Czech news outlet Idnes that prescribed medication helped the player to get through the tournament without having to withdraw.

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"Kaja had the same disease as Rybakina [at the French Open], who withdrew from the tournament, but she fought back and made it to the final, where she played great tennis, really amazing. Her bronchi were caught, some fever. If it wasn't for all the things we did and all the medications she was prescribed."

Miske told Idnes

Muchova produced some of her best performances of the season at Roland Garros following on from a challenging start to the 2023 campaign. The 26-year-old's best previous finishes before the second Grand Slam of the year came at the Dubai Championships and Indian Wells when she was eliminated in the quarter-final stages.

Miske went on to reveal more details about Muchova's lung condition in the tournament. Ultimately, the Czech player's team did not want to make a big issue of the illness during the French Open, but Miske felt the 26-year-old emerged from the competition as a 'winner' despite her eventual final defeat.

"She played two matches with a terrible burning sensation in her lungs. We consulted his condition with the doctor, who said she could play, but it would be difficult. We didn't discuss it during the tournament, but we knew it, that's why she's a winner for us." 

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