Tennis can be a very technical sport with a lot of planning and preparation needed at times. Although for Garbine Muguruza the less she thinks the better she performs at the Australian Open.
It is hard to argue with the approach taken by the two-time grand slam champion given her resurgence at the tournament. On Wednesday Muguruza disposed of Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-5, 6-3, to reach her first major semi-final since the 2018 French Open. It is also the first time she has ever reached the last four in Melbourne Park. Although the Spaniard admits that there is room for improvement after hitting 21 winners along with 21 unforced errors in her latest encounter.
“At the beginning of the match I wasn’t feeling so good and said to myself that I had to find a solution.” Muguruza said during an interview with Eurosport Spain.
“I felt better, used my mind and my mentality to stay focused. Even if you’re feeling bad, it doesn’t matter.”
The breakthrough comes after what was a roller-coaster 2019 season for the former world No.1. During that year she split with long-term coach Sam Sumyk, exited the world’s top 20 for the first time in four years and at one stage won just one match in six tournaments played. So what has triggered the revival of Muguruza?
Besides a reunion with Conchita Martinez, who was elected into the International Tennis Hall of Fame this week, it is her mental approach to the tournament. It is no longer a case of looking ahead, but just taking it day-by-day. The Australian Open is the first major she has been unseeded in since 2014.
“I came not feeling great. I wasn’t really thinking, How far will I go? I had enough already thinking, How will I go practice today?” She said.
“I took every day at a time. Like that, each day I was gaining a better feeling instead of getting frustrated thinking in the future.”
One journalist during her press conference described Muguruza’s revival as ‘coming back from a coma two years ago.’ A phrase the Spaniard didn’t completely agree with. Between 2016-2018 the 26-year-old won four out of her seven WTA titles. Including both the French Open (2016) and Wimbledon (2017).
“I think a ‘coma’ is a pretty strong comment.” She replied.
“I would say I think those years were less successful if you compare them to my previous years. That’s how I see it. I don’t see it at all as a coma. I just think you struggle as a player, and there is moments where things don’t go your way.’
“You just have to be patient and go through the rough moments, just hang in there and it will come back again.”
Patience, as well as discipline, could be key in her upcoming semi-final clash with Simona Halep, who reached the final of the Australian Open two years ago. She leads their head-to-head 3-2, but lost their only grand slam encounter at the 2018 French Open in straight sets.
“I think it will be a tough match. I think that no matter when you play top five, it’s always deep in a tournament. It’s a semifinal, so of course I’m expecting a big player.” Muguruza previewed.
“I think she’s (Halep) a very solid player. She plays very consistency through all these years.” She added.
Muguruza’s upcoming semi-final clash with Halep will take place on Thursday. The last Spanish woman to reach the title match in Melbourne Park was her coach Martinez back in 1998.
The head-to-head between Muguruza and Halep
- 2018 French Open, clay, SF, Halep 6-1 6-4
- 2017 Cincinnati, hard, F, Muguruza 6-1 6-0
- 2015 Stuttgart, clay, R16, Halep 3-6 6-1 6-3
- 2015 Fed Cup Week 1, hard, R1, Muguruza 6-4 6-3
- 2014 Wuhan, hard, R2, Muguruza 2-6 6-2 6-3
