Coco Gauff believes missing match point in her epic Wimbledon semi-final defeat to Karolina Muchova could make her a better player, even if she is braced for "people who don't watch tennis" to criticise her shot selection.

Gauff, who had never gone beyond the fourth round at the All England Club before this year, was on the brink of booking a spot in the final on Thursday.

She was serving for the match at 9-8 up in a first-to-10 tie-break in the third set, having lost the opening set 6-2 before rallying to win the second 6-1.

A booming serve down the centre pushed Muchova back, and Gauff seemingly had the entire court to aim for as she wound up to strike a winner.

However, she went for a disguised slice, which did not work out as planned as her weak shot rippled the net and let Muchova off the hook.

The Czech took full advantage by winning the breaker 12-10 and will now face her compatriot Linda Noskova in Saturday's final, while Gauff is left to rue a costly error.

But, speaking in her post-match press conference, she stressed that many of the game's greatest players had lost big matches after being one point from victory.

"Roger [Federer] lost match points here [in the 2019 final against Novak Djokovic]. Jannik [Sinner] obviously did at Roland-Garros [against Carlos Alcaraz last year]," Gauff said.

"So, every great champion has this happen in their career. Maybe this is something I need to be on their level.

"People who don't watch tennis are going to be like, 'why did you do that?' At the end of the day, that's the choice I made.

"Was it the right one at that moment? Maybe not. But then also, if I made it, everyone was going to say how clutch of a shot that was."

2018 - This will be the first Women’s Singles Major where both finalists saved a match point en route since the Australian Open 2018 (Caroline Wozniacki and Simona Halep). Deserved.#Wimbledon | @Wimbledon @WTA pic.twitter.com/lx8oX2HLlH

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) July 9, 2026

Thursday's epic clash on Centre Court was the 51st three-setter to take place in the women's draw at this edition of Wimbledon.

That is the most of any grand slam in the Open Era, having surpassed the 1989 Australian Open and 2017 US Open outright.

And, with Noskova having also saved a match point earlier in her run to the showpiece (versus Sorana Cirstea in round three), this will be the first major women's singles final between two players that have saved match point at that tournament since the 2018 Australian Open (Caroline Wozniacki and Simona Halep).

Reflecting on the topsy-turvy nature of her win, Muchova said: "Honestly, it was such a big fight. 

"A rollercoaster, up and down. In 10 seconds, you had match point and then match point against you. There was no time to think.

"It was very nerve-racking; I don't know what I'm saying. I'm shaking and trying to sink it in. The atmosphere here was indescribable."