Garbine Muguruza has shown great matches in 2017 – and she feels ready for next season’s coups.
When it comes to the use of social media, Garbine Muguruza at best floats with the masses. The Spanish Wimbledon winner does not completely refuse to meet the demands of our time – the obligatory holiday photo has also been posted by Muguruza – nor does she drive her need for communication to the top like many other colleagues who have already had their (stunningly short) best sporting time.
Communication with the fans is important to Garbine Muguruza, who has just been named Player of the Year by the ITF. So there was little closer than a live Facebook interview that Muguruza gave from her training domicile in California. Her coach Sam Sumyk is based there, where Garbine Muguruza is preparing for the coming season for the third time in a row.
And so number two in the world… talked about their off-season in the southwest of the USA:
“I love coming back here. I always feel a good energy here, which is especially important in preparation. I find the weather here very pleasant. And it’s a pleasant way of life. It’s so cold in Europe right now, I really appreciate being here, putting on tank tops and shorts, and going to the beach.”
… about her very special relationship with the US tournaments on the WTA Tour:
“Miami is something very special, because that’s where I first got the chance to play on the WTA tour. There are so many Latin-American people there that I feel comfortable because I am also very Latin-American. Even if there’s only three people, you’d think there’s 25 of them, because they’re going with you. I have a love-hate relationship with New York, now I have finally won a few rounds. The final in Cincinnati was a surprise for me, because it didn’t go so well for me there in the last few years. But this summer I had some tough matches that made me play much better. And: Everybody loves Indian Wells. It’s very big and perfect for us, the seats and restaurants are very nice.”
… about her development as a player:
“I watch my matches a lot. It used to be more difficult, especially when I lost a match. Then I said,’ Do you know who’s going to watch this game? Certainly not me! But I’m learning something by watching my matches, like improving my attitude. When I was younger, I complained or showed a bad attitude – and if you see something like that, you can improve it. I always behaved naturally, whether I was nervous or happy, I showed it. Over time I have learned to keep it to myself, because you always help the opponent when you show your emotions. Over the years you become calmer and less emotional. Like I’m that old! But I’m only 23. Still young.”
about their goals:
“I want to keep playing in big finals and fight for the number one position. There’s nothing to be afraid of or hide from. I just want to set myself the most difficult goals, because I feel that I have experienced almost everything. That helps me believe I can get there again.”