What does the future hold for Karolina Muchova?

Spin it to win it: Muchova’s backhand slice, which she uses as a variation to her regular double-fisted ground-stroke, worked well on clay but should serve her even better on grass. | Photo credit: Getty Images

Net gains: A natural on grass, Muchova made the quarterfinals in her first Wimbledon appearance. Connoisseurs of serve-and-volley tennis will follow her progress at this year’s Championships with keen interest. | Photo credit: Getty Images

Around this time last year, Karolina Muchova was in a wheelchair. An ankle injury had ended her French Open. It was another setback for the injury-plagued Muchova, who had been sidelined for seven months in 2021-22 with an abdominal problem. Once a top-20 player, her ranking declined — she found herself at No. 235 last August, with doctors asking her to reconsider playing professional tennis because they feared her body couldn’t withstand the rigours.