"As Nadal said 'If if if, doesn't exist'"- Fans shut down tennis insider as he wonders if Karolina Muchova could have won US Open amid China Open run

Fans have been discussing tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg's comments wondering if Karolina Muchova had a shot at winning the 2024 US Open amid her phenomenal run to the final at the China Open. Many felt that discussing a "what could've been" question was superfluous.

The Czech player had been out of action for 10 months due to wrist surgery and had to miss out on the opening two Majors of the year. She made her return during the 2024 grass swing.

Muchova, a semifinalist at the US Open last year, had yet another strong run to the semifinals at Flushing Meadows this year, taking out the likes of Naomi Osaka, Jasmine Paolini, and Beatriz Haddad Maia. In the semifinal, she was in complete control at one stage against Jessica Pegula, being 6-1, 2-0 up.

However, a missed volley from Muchova led to a tremendous turnaround by the American, who went on to clinch a spot in the final of her home Major.

Muchova seems to have now taken her form into the Asian swing, having made it to the final of the China Open. She scored impressive wins against top seed Aryna Sabalenka and fifth Zheng Qinwen en route to the final.

Following the Czech player making it to the final in Beijing, Ben Rothenberg shared a post on social media wondering if the 28-year-old could've defeated Sabalenka in the US Open final if she had managed to oust Pegula.

In his post on X (formerly Twittter), Rothenberg shared an image from the US Open semifinal between Muchova and Pegula, wrote,

"Thought I’m having as Karolina Muchova marches to the final in WTA 1000 Beijing: If Muchova had won this match, would she have won the US Open?"

Fans in the replies shared a range of thoughts in response. One fan mentioned Rafael Nadal's famous quote about 'ifs,' in reference to Rothenberg's "thought."

"These "thoughts" are always frustrating. As Nadal once said 'if if if, doesn’t exist'. If Osaka converted her four set points, would she have beaten Muchova? If Sabalenka didn’t win her round 1 match, would Pegula have won the USO?…" the fan commented.

Another fan opined that Sabalenka would've won the US Open regardless of the player on the other side of the net.

"No, Aryna at the US Open was on a mission and a bit more focused, not letting opportunities slip her grip like she did in China. Also, if she could have won it, she would have won it. No awards for 'what ifs'."

Here are some other reactions from the fans discussing a possible Karolina Muchova US Open triumph:

"US OPEN24 is OVER. There is no need about “could have,” a fan said.

"WELL GUESS WHAT SHE DIDNT WIN IT," a fan quipped.

"If my grandma had wheels she would be a bike," a fan joked.

"If Naomi Osaka had beaten Iga, would she have won the French Open?" another fan pondered.

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Karolina Muchova falls to Coco Gauff in the final of China Open 2024

Karolina Muchova and Coco Gauff (Source: Getty)

Karolina Muchova's scintillating campaign at the 2024 China Open ended in defeat to fourth seed Coco Gauff, who picked up the second Masters 1000 title of her career. The American comfortably outplayed the Czech player 6-1, 6-3 in an hour and 16 minutes.

This win helped Gauff reach fourth spot in the WTA rankings, surpassing Elena Rybakina and Jasmine Paolini. This win has also given a huge boost to Muchova, as she has reentered the Top 30.

Up next for both women will be another WTA 1000 event, the Wuhan Open. While Karolina Muchova will play Moyuka Uchijima in her opening match, fourth seed Coco Gauff, who received a bye in the opening round, will await the winner between Ashlyn Krueger and Viktoriya Tomova.