Karolina Muchova admits she may have to go under the knife for the second time in a year if she is unable to resolve a new wrist problem.
The Czech shed light on her current fitness after crashing out of the French Open in three sets (6-3, 2-6, 6-1) to Alycia Parks. It is only the second time in Muchova’s career that she has lost her opening match at the tournament after 2020. She reached the final in 2023 but was unable to play in last year’s draw due to injury.
Muchova played her latest match in Paris despite being hampered by pain in her left wrist. It is a cruel twist for the 28-year-old who underwent surgery on her other wrist last October but was still able to recover in time to be ready for the start of this season.
“I wanted to play here. I kept waiting to see if my wrist would get better. One day it’s better and then it’s worse, but unfortunately, I’ve been in a lot of pain the last few days, so I couldn’t do it,” Muchova told reporters on Tuesday.
“I thought I had a chance but it just wasn’t the case with this opponent,” she added.
It is a frustrating situation for Muchova, who started 2025 ranked 21st in the world and is currently in 13th place. During this period, she reached back-to-back semifinals in Linz and Dubai, as well as the fourth round in Indian Wells.
“I have more time now and can deal with my wrist. I’ll try to give it 150 percent and hope to get my backhand involved.” She said of her next steps.
“I treated my right wrist conservatively for half a year and then I had surgery anyway. That is always the last option for me, I don’t want to have it. I will try some alternative solutions, but if they don’t work, I will have to go back to the operating room.”
Muchova has been ranked as high as eighth in the world and has reached the quarter-finals or better at every Grand Slam tournament. However, she currently only has one WTA title to her name which was won at the 2019 Korean Open.
