The Mutua Madrid Open has announced that Garbiñe Muguruza is joining the combined tournament in the Spanish capital as co-director alongside Feliciano Lopez. The former world number one and two-time Grand Slam champion, in the final stages of her pregnancy, spoke to MARCA from her home in Geneva.
How is the pregnancy going?
Answer. This process is very long and I am not a very patient woman.
I don’t know if it will be a boy or a girl, but would you like him or her to be a tennis player?
I’m not going to reveal the sex, I’m keeping it to myself for when it’s born. I would like him to play tennis. Why not? It’s one of the most complete sports there is. I would have to see with this eye that I have what talent he has to see if he has the ability to go ahead and dedicate himself to it. I would like him to do sport and, in this case, tennis.
From today you are co-director of the Mutua Madrid Open. How do you feel?
I am very happy. The truth is that it was a position that was always a dream for me because it is the only tournament that we women have at home. It is also a 1000 category tournament, which is very important. It is an honor to be part of it in another area, outside the court and more in the office, as they say. I see it as something natural because of the experience I have from the WTA Finals in Riyadh. Being close to the players for two years, that close relationship because I am a former player who has retired recently. I can take care of them and make sure they have all the attention they need. It’s something that comes naturally to me. It’s a very logical transition.
How and when did the proposal come to you?
It was something that I always had in mind. It all happened recently, in the last month the idea developed that the tournament in Madrid should be a pioneer in having two directors, one for the men and one for the women. It’s super big, complex and it’s good that there are two directors who complement each other and relieve each other of work, so that nothing escapes.
Have you spoken to Feli yet?
I’ve talked to him a little bit. We’re going to talk more when everything settles down because everything was pretty fast.
Is your new position compatible with the management of the women’s Masters and being a commentator on Tennis Channel?
I think so because the tournaments are different but compatible. They are also at different times of the year and the Masters tournament is only 24 players. It’s small compared to the magnitude of the Mutua Madrid Open and they don’t compete at all.
What can you and what do you want to contribute to the Madrid team?
Of course, taking care of my girls, being behind them and being present in all the activities they can do. Watching them train, compete… I’m going to soak up all the things they feel, think and want to improve. In the tournament of the teachers I am their shadow and in Madrid it will be the same. I want them to feel cared for and important, that will be the most important thing.
The Madrid tournament was one of the first to equalise the prizes of both circuits outside the ‘Grand Slam’. Is the image of the tournament that of equality?
Madrid was a pioneer in equalising the prize money, which now exceeds $15 million, and now with the step of co-direction
The Caja Magica has two named courts: the Manolo Santana central court and the Arantxa Sanchez Vicario court. Would you be thrilled if they put Garbine Muguruza in the new stadium?
I had never thought about it. It would be an honor if they think of me. Wow, who knows. Of course, I would be very excited with Santana and Arantxa it would be incredible.
It would be an honor to have my name next to Santana and Arantxa
The current tennis scene is marked by the upcoming battle of the sexes between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka. Who do you think is going to win?
I think this battle of the sexes is more for fun. It’s not as momentous as it was the first time. What I see is that they are both having a great time. Whatever gets the public hooked on tennis is good.
How do you think your two years of experience in the WTA Finals will help you in Madrid?R. The first year I’m going to focus on taking good care of the players, what they feel when they come to Madrid and what it takes for us to be the best 1000 tournament. What is missing. We have to make the players feel like gods.
Is the good health of women’s tennis demonstrated when 10 of the 15 highest-paid sportswomen belong to the WTA?
Tennis players dominate the list every year, but the list continues to grow. Women’s tennis is leading the way and reflects the reality in terms of popularity, sponsors and the attractiveness of the sport
Mercedes-Benz has just been announced as a premier sponsor.
It’s been great news that a luxury brand is partnering with the WTA. It’s all proof that women’s tennis is on the right track, it’s a very good sign.
Tennis doesn’t let go of me and neither do I because it’s in my DNA
Did you want to receive some kind of offer from the fashion world after your retirement?
Tennis is the main thing because it’s in my blood. Since I retired two years ago, a lot has happened. I started with the WTA Finals faster than I thought and now the Mutua Madrid Open. Tennis doesn’t let go of me and I don’t let go of tennis because it’s in my DNA. The world of fashion still appeals to me, but my interest and knowledge is in tennis. I watch more than ever. When I played, I switched off. With motherhood, I’ll see how I fit everything in, but it’s been a great journey.
Spanish men’s tennis produces many players from the youth ranks. Are you worried that there is not that fluidity in girls?
It’s a bit mysterious, but there have been streaks because in the days of Arantxa and Conchita we were very strong in women. I think Spanish tennis is in good health in general. Until recently we were Paula and I in the top 10. Now there are three top 100 and Paula coming back. I’m not worried about the health of Spanish women’s tennis, what happens is that we are spoiled. That’s our problem.
Sara has taken the right amount of time, often you take too little time for fear of missing out on things
Recently, Sara Sorribes announced her return to competition. Were you happy with the news?
She took the right amount of time. Many times you take too little time for fear of missing out on things. She has done what she felt and came back well because I have read her interviews. I’m happy because she’s already past the fear of stopping. She has stopped and seen that the world does not end. Let’s see how she fits in next season, mentally fresher and ready to face it.
Have you asked your friend Carla Suarez for any advice as a future mother?
Yes, yes, we talk because she has two. She tells me little things and I update her. Now we don’t talk about tennis, we talk about life, about motherhood. She tells me what to do, what not to do, what to watch out for… Things for pregnant women.
Is Carla the best captain the national team can have in the Billie Jean King Cup?
Carla’s role is complicated because you depend on the moment of the players. But there is no one better than Carla to know how to calm down, to deal with that character that she has. She is so good, so patient, she talks to the players, she understands, and in the first year they have qualified for the finals. And with Paula half injured, yes or no. I hope she can continue and get to the Los Angeles Olympics, that would be great.
Serena Williams has signed up again for the ITIA anti-doping system, which is the prerequisite for playing a match, two or whatever. Does this guarantee her an invitation to the Mutua Madrid Open?
I read the news but then he said he was not coming back
It seems that you want to play one last match in the farewell of your sister Venus.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea for the Williams sisters to say goodbye in Madrid. The stadium would be full. We want the Williams sisters to say goodbye here
We have to make the players feel like gods in Madrid
Did you already know someone from the new MARI investment group?R. I knew a little bit because some of them come from IMG. I know more about the ones I’m going to work with on a day-to-day basis
Is playing well in Madrid and achieving a good result a thorn in your side as a tennis player?
Yes, yes, yes. It was always a tough tournament, a hard tournament, because of the desire to want more than ever to show my talent and my ability. That is then a double-edged sword because of the pressure you put on yourself. I always had that feeling, except in the doubles, which we did very well. Not having reached a final or semifinal… Now I will reach the end of the tournament without playing
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