Newly crowned French Open champion Garbine Muguruza is taking nothing for granted as she maintains a level-headed viewpoint about her Wimbledon chances.
Playing in only her second grand slam final at Roland Garros, the 22-year-old defeated top seed Serena Williams in straight sets to become the first Spanish woman since 1998 to win a major title. Matching Williams shot by shot, Muguruza has made herself the most likely candidate to challenge the world No.1 in future tournaments.
Since her win, Muguruza has received a tsunami of praise from notable figures all over the world, including an email from the Spanish royal family. Whilst the complements are flattering, the new world No. 2 told Spanish sports website Marca that her new status in the tennis world will not change her as a person.
“What has really changed is how people see me. Personally, apart from having more confidence and believing more in myself, I have not changed much,” Muguruza said.
“I do the same thing, I surround myself with the same people. What happened is that the name of Garbiñe is more attractive and people are closer to you. I do not think I’ve changed as a person.”
The next task for the Venezuelan-born player will be the upcoming grass season, where she will be hoping to repeat her 2015 performance. Seeded 20th at last year’s Wimbledon Championships, Muguruza defeated Timea Bacsinszky and Agnieszka Radwanska to reach her maiden grand slam final. The fairytale run at SW19 failed to end happily after she succumbed in two sets to Williams. Bearing the new title of French Open champion, the 22-year-old will experience a surge of pressure compare to last year, however, she is ready for the challenge.
“Last year I was more worried about this situation and I had a hard time coping. This time I’ll try to forget a little of that. I want to start from scratch. I will start on the grass very cool, very new and no expectations, honestly.” The world No.2 said.
“What I did wrong last year was to believe that because I was winning, I had to win even more. It was as if I could not lose. And of course I can lose. I have to keep at this level, but I know that to win Roland Garros will not mean that I will win Wimbledon.”
The approach by Muguruza is perhaps the best to take in the women’s game considering the series of unpredictable results on the tour this year. Five WTA tournaments took place in May, but only one of them was won by the top seed (Williams in Rome).
Tipped by some as a future world No.1 once the Williams era comes to an end, Muguruza has honestly admitted that a position at the top of the rankings isn’t her main priority.
“When I went to play the (French Open) final, I knew that if I won, I would be number two. I focus more on winning a tournament,” She said.
“If only I concentrate on this (becoming No.1), I will not get there.”
Muguruza will return to action next week at the inaugural Mallorca Open, a WTA 250 event. Entering the tournament as the only top-10 player, she will be the overwhelming favourite for the title in what will be her first test as a grand slam champion.
