Former world No 1 'felt the need to move on' after retirement – as she opens up about 'Hollywood movie' romance
05/04/2024 08:07 AM
Former world No 1 and two-time major winner Garbine Muguruza revealed she "felt the need to move on in life" after discussing her recent retirement from tennis.
Muguruza confirmed her retirement from the sport last month, with the 30-year-old having not played a match since the Lyon Open in January 2023.
The 2016 French Open and 2017 Wimbledon champion during her career, Muguruza also reached the top spot of the WTA Rankings, a further two Slam finals, and won 10 career titles.
Muguruza reflected fondly on the highest points of her career – most notably her WTA Finals win in 2021, which ultimately proved to be the final title she would win.
But, speaking to Tennis Channel, she revealed she was ready to move on – and did not miss large parts of life as a tennis player.
She said: "Well, it was quite easy for me. I know for some athletes it takes a long time to decide, but for me, it was kind of natural.
"I just felt the need to move on in life, and the lack of excitement, I guess. With the years that changes – I want to look for other chapters in my life.
Welcome back to the Tennis Channel Desk, @GarbiMuguruza
The two-time Grand Slam champion talked about her retirement, love at first right, and more.#MMOPENpic.twitter.com/UKPdwIiUDY
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) May 3, 2024
"Winning trophies, Grand Slams, are the most amazing, everything. Also the Masters [WTA Finals] in Mexico, that was huge, playing in front of the Latin crowd, the whole stadium was crazy – like poor [Anett] Kontaveit, it was so tough. Those three are the best ones, yeah.
"What I miss the most, I have to say, is having my team, having my group and that feeling of protection, and travelling with them. That I miss the most. It's a tough sport, it's very solitary and you travel every week – so I'm not missing that.
"I'm trying to figure it out. I definitely want to be involved with the media, with tennis, but also try different things. I've always been around tennis, so I'm open for opportunities."
Though Muguruza's career plans post-tennis are in the air, she does have her wedding to look forward to after announcing her engagement to Arthur Borges last year.
The Spaniard famously met her husband when he asked her for a selfie in New York, and she joked that their romance was like a "Hollywood movie."
"We always joke about it, it's like a Hollywood movie, it's a crazy story," she added.
"We met in the street in New York, it was love at first sight.
"It was one of those boring days, I didn't know what to do, so I go for a walk on Central Park as well, and I just bumped into him. I was just like: 'Wait a minute, you're very handsome, who are you?'
"And he's a tennis fan, so he recognised me and said: 'Hey, good luck.' And that's it, that was enough."
Read More: Former Wimbledon and French Open winner retires after 'fantastic journey'
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