Garbiñe Muguruza: "Winning my two 'big ones' at Williams has a special value"

MADRID, 24 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Garbiñe Muguruza is clear that now she only has to "look forward" after announcing her retirement from tennis with many successes achieved, between two 'Grand Slam' titles, at Roland Garros in 2016 and at Wimbledon in 2017, to which she gives " a special value" because he conquered them before Serena and Venus Williams, respectively, his two "idols".

"Yes, yes, the truth is that for me having won my two 'Grand Slams' against Williams has a special value for me because they were like my idols and in the end they have been playing all their lives. I wanted to play in the finals against them and win them, so I can say it, I have already achieved it," Muguruza told Europa Press after the announcement of her retirement last Saturday during her presentation as Laureus Ambassador.

This farewell to tennis was not "very difficult for him because it was something that had already been considered, but, well, saying it out loud and in front of people, well yes, really, because I think that until now he had not said it much. But Well, I'm happy with my decision, in the end I just have to look forward now," she remarked.

The former world number one also does not forget that the break due to the pandemic, where she was very active with concerns far from sports, could already influence this decision. "Totally, the truth is, yes. During COVID, that respite was very good for me, surprisingly," she acknowledged.

"So, yes, I realized that, well, even if there was no tennis, I managed, that it is also important to know that. I had a little influence too, at least for the safety as an athlete," added the women's champion. WTA Finals in 2021.

Nor has the fact that there was a special event like the Olympic Games stopped him in his decision because he has "already" played them on "two" occasions, in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Tokyo. "That was not going to change my way of thinking at all. Furthermore, for the Olympic Games it is about a continuity of playing to qualify, it is not that from one day to the next you qualify, so I was clear that no, that was not going to change my mind," he said.

Muguruza also does not forget the demands that exist on the circuit and therefore asks to "give a lot of importance" to mental health care. "You have to work with your team and with your personal psychologist, all of that is very important because in the end everyone goes with their teeth and claws, they are there for the same thing and you have to be very strong mentally.

"Knowing how to deal with and overcome difficulty is very important, we all know it, now everyone is talking about this, so I also support what is being said," added the Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion, to whom "of course "that he would have liked to win "many things. "Maybe another 'Grand Slam', right? I have two left (US Open and Australia), well, the two I'm missing," he said smiling, also confessing that he would have "loved to have played better in Madrid, at home" now. that at the Mutua Madrid Open he could not shine.

Her farewell could soon join that of Rafa Nadal, who could be playing his last year, but the Spanish-Venezuelan does not believe that Spanish tennis will be so 'orphaned'. "I think that now a new generation is coming and there will surely be successes as well. I'm sure that you (journalists) will do new, very good reports on the following ones," she remarked.

"Well, it's not bad, there are players there, they are established in the 'Top 100'. It is clear that we have experienced better moments, but I think we have many players who will be up there again, but we have to give them some time to everything falls into place again," added Muguruza, enjoying national women's tennis, also suffering from Paula Badosa's physical problems.

Finally, Garbiñe Muguruza does not rule out continuing to be linked to tennis, although she still does not know "exactly because it is very recent." "But in some way I want to be involved both in television, media, supporting children, continuing to do events with Laureus, charities, things like that. Maybe not so much as a coach because it is a very difficult life too, but you will see me, I will be present," he said.