Ever since her run to the final of the 2015 Wimbledon Championships, the life of Garbine Muguruza has become one that is known around the world.
2015 saw Muguruza clinch her first Premier title in Beijing as she became the first Spanish woman to finish the year in the world’s top-three since Conchita Martinez back in 1996. This year has been more testing for 22-year-old, who is yet to reach the semifinal at a tournament after starting 2016 with a foot injury.
The slow start to the year hasn’t stopped Muguruza from thinking big. As Serena Williams shows signs of losing her dominance on the WTA Tour, the Spaniard hopes to one day replace Williams as the best player in the world.
“I am very ambitious and I have it in mind. I do not know if I will become number 1, but what is better than me believing,” She recently told El Mundo.
In order to achieve her world No.1 goal, some have suggested that her mental game needs improvement. During her 2014 French Open clash against Maria Sharapova, Muguruza took the first set 6-1, before losing in three sets. At that time she stated that she ‘needs to work on her mental game’. Two years later the 22-year-old is visibly stronger on the court both mentally and physically. Unlike her 2014 uncertainties, the world No.4 has no more worries about her mentality on the court.
“Not at all. I am just very emotional,” Muguruza responded when asked if her mentality was the weakest part of her game.
“Tennis can be long and difficult, emotions sometimes does not harm the game. I think it’s good and I just have to learn to manage it better and I’m already achieving this”.
Muguruza is known for her high-risk aggressive play on the court. This kind of play will always create an array of spectacular winners alongside some dismal errors. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old has no intention of changing her approach on the court.
“You’re alone and you have to learn to live with the error; accept that you’re going to fail a lot of times. I’m a player who assumes many risks, so I have little margin for error. It’s my style and I will not change,” the 22-year-old stated.
Star in Spain
The growing success on the court has led to her shooting to the limelight in her country. Last year she was the tenth most searched topic on Yahoo.es (with Rafael Nadal being the first). The surge in her popularity has led to Muguruza becoming a role model for aspiring tennis players in Spain. Muguruza’s credentials are well deserved, however, greater popularity always leads to greater responsibility in the world of tennis.
“It is true that the more successful, the more responsibility. You have to do everything well because many people are watching you all the time,” She told El Mundo.
“It’s hard because you’re not perfect. I want women to identify with me because they see a normal girl who sacrifices herself for her dreams”
The world No.3 is eager to stress that she is as much of a typical 22-year-old as anybody else. She spoke of her love for cooking and cars with Spanish media as she continued her extensive interview.
The dark side of tennis
2016 has been an unusual year for the world of tennis. Never before has the community been caught up in match-fixing allegations, doping headlines, sexism and suspected murder (Robin Haase’s coach) within the first four months of a season. Many players have chosen to remain silent on the subject to avoid being caught up in any negative headlines. Muguruza on the other hand isn’t afraid to speak her mind.
Whilst many players have dismissed suggestions of corruption in the sport, Muguruza candidly admitted there is a problem concerning many players on the tour.
“For me there has never been anything, but I know it exists,” Muguruza said when asked if she has been approached on the tour by bettors.
“It is something that is there and it is going to be very difficult to stop because there are many people involved, many players … It’s a very ugly subject”.
Concerning sexism in the sport, Muguruza said that it is still prevalent. She also expressed her surprise concerning Novak Djokovic’s recent comments on equal prize money.
“There is no denying that the male end of the stadium will be more filled than the female, with some exceptions. But this has improved a lot. Before women were winning less money and that has equaled. It’s great because there must be equality without doubt. We are not less”.
The next stop in Muguruza’s tennis journey is this weeks Porsche Open in Stuttgart. In her first match she will play Hungary’s Timea Babos.
The full interview between Muguruza and El Mundo can be read in full here.
