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Champion's Corner: Muguruza

Champion's Corner: Muguruza

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

PARIS, France – Hours had passed by the time Garbiñe Muguruza walked into the interview room following her 7-5, 6-4 win over Serena Williams to win her first major title at Roland Garros. Throughout the week the now World No.2 was primarily greeted by a half-full room of Spanish reporters — there had been a combined six English questions for her in her two previous press conferences.

Now, after a commanding win over the World No.1, she faced a standing-room only crowd of reporters. As reporters applauded, she strolled up to the dais and placed the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen next to her and sat down. And then she scooted the trophy just a little bit closer and smiled. It was hers. No really, it was hers.

Here’s what the 22-year-old Spaniard had to say to both the English press and Spanish press after her big win on Saturday.

Moderator: Questions in English?

Q. When you had those four match points and then you had to serve for it, what was going through your mind? You looked so composed. I guess inside it wasn’t that easy.
MUGURUZA: Yeah, it was very difficult to see you have four match points and doesn’t go your way. But it’s a final. There’s no room for being disappointed or for excuses, Oh, I had four match points.

I still had another chance serving, and even after. I just tried to be calm even though inside, I was like, Oh, there’s no way. Then I managed to be calm and just think about what I have to do every point, and don’t think about match point or championship point.

Garbine Muguruza

Q. Can you try and describe your feelings on the match point that you did win, that lob? Took you a second to realize you won. Can you tell us what went through your mind?
MUGURUZA: It was really weird. Serena was in front of the ball so I didn’t know if it was in or out. I looked at the chair umpire and chair umpire doesn’t want to say anything. Line judge doesn’t want to say anything.

I was like, Did I win Roland Garros? What happened? When he said, Game, set, and match, I was like, No way. I won. It was like amazing.

Q. I saw you got a tweet from Rafa. When you watched him winning all those titles did you think that one day it would be you?
MUGURUZA: You know what I thought? Like how can he win nine times? Right away I’m like, That’s impossible to do it again. (Smiling.)

But, you know, reading that tweet about Rafa, it’s great for us. For Spanish people this is the tournament. When you’re a kid and you practice on clay you always, Oh, I wish I could win Roland Garros. Today is a great day.

Q. This is the first clay title for you, which is Roland Garros. How do you explain about that?
MUGURUZA: Well, for sure not bad. The previous years here I felt good in French Open playing. I reached two times quarterfinals, so I was there. But, I mean, to start [my] clay [career] with this title, for sure it’s impossible to be better.

Q. How could you not cry?
MUGURUZA: No. I was crying, but I was like, — I was putting my tears away. I was crying. But I’m like, No way. No way I won. I did cry. (Smiling.)

But I have to say I was trying to be composed. As I started the tournament my objective was to not very emotional and to go every match. Doesn’t matter which round it was, but to be calm.

I didn’t know what to do, honestly. To jump, to go to the floor. At the moment, I’m like heart attack almost.

Garbine Muguruza

Q. Did you surprise yourself at all how you handled the final?
MUGURUZA: Well, every match I played until I reached the final I was a little bit improving. You know, today was just that challenge. You got to face the best player in the final. You know you’ve got to perform well. Your chances of winning playing bad are very low.

I knew, Come on, Garbiñe. This is your chance again. Go for it. Just go for it. And breathe. I did it kind of. (Smiling.)

Q. With the tough start to this year that you had, when did you think that winning this year’s French Open could be even possible?
MUGURUZA: Well, I had it in mind. It’s not that I can’t imagine, because I reached good rounds. I believe I can do it. Just didn’t go my way at the beginning of the year.

But that doesn’t mean that it’s not going to go after. So I have been practicing and working hard. I knew eventually I will start to feel better, so that’s the way of tennis. It’s so long. One tournament you win; the next one you lose in first round. So it’s hard.

Q. You obviously beat Serena at this tournament, but you also played her in a Grand Slam final in the last year, which is a different occasion. What did you learn from that first final and were you able to draw on that or use that in this match today?
MUGURUZA: Yeah, for sure. But not only that match, all the matches I played against her. I felt I had a lot of opportunities against her, and I just thought in Wimbledon I was very nervous. I couldn’t really control that. I can’t think about, Oh, I wish I could be less nervous, but that’s hard to say.

I just put that aside today. I was like, Come on. Let’s go for it. Forget about the nerves, even though it’s hard. I just had a little different mindset today.

Garbine Muguruza

Q. You have become the 11th player from Spain to win a Grand Slam. Do you think your victory will serve as an inspiration for people in Venezuela even though you identify yourself as a Spaniard?
MUGURUZA: Well, I hope so. That’s the best when you inspire people, when people tell you, Oh, I wish I could play like you and to be like that. I think that’s great to hear, especially for kids. They are so excited it’s like, Oh, so cool.

So, yeah, I hope so. Venezuela, I always have it in my heart even though there is a Spanish flag under my name. I have a lot of support from there similar to Spanish, which is amazing. I not only play for Spain. I play for both.

Q. What was the one quality that brought you through the tournament this year, do you think?
MUGURUZA: I have been saying during the whole week to be less emotional. To believe more that I’m here because I deserve my place here. I earned it. You know, I played well. I earned to be here in the final.

I think just to don’t think about other stuff. Just give it all in the court and doesn’t matter who’s in front, which round it is. Just to control the emotions I think is the key sometimes, especially in a Grand Slam where you’re very nervous and excited.

Q. Sam Sumyk, what advice did he give you, in particular?
MUGURUZA: Well, I always say that Sam is a great professional because he has been in the top level, and that’s not easy to find on people, because not all the people reach top level.

But I think experience. I think it’s the voice of experience telling me sometimes, Hey, I think this is better. Been there; I felt it. Well, he’s not have been there, but with the team and with their players. It’s great to hear something that is real, because it has reasons behind that. I’m like, Oh, great. I’ll try to do it.

So experience.

Garbine Muguruza

Q. It seems like the crowd likes you here. Do you think it’s because your coach is French or…
MUGURUZA: Oh, no. I wish that’s not the reason. (Smiling.)

Well, for sure. But honestly I don’t know. I felt during the whole two weeks a lot of support. I just think maybe they want a Spanish woman to win the tournament. They are like, Come on. Always Nadal. How about a Spanish woman? I’m very surprised with the crowd, yeah.

Q. Do you think you played lights out, best that you could have possibly played? Do you feel like you were a level below what you would consider your best? How would you rate how well you played today?
MUGURUZA: I think I played well considering the circumstances. It was difficult to get into the match, because we are very powerful players, so it was very hard to have a point with three shots. It was all about the serve, return, first two groundstrokes.

I think I played very well. I think I could serve better. But for sure I’m pretty happy with my performance, yeah.

Garbine Muguruza

Q. You were already No.3 in the world in October last year. How come you only won two tournaments in your life? How do you explain that? That’s difficult for us to understand, especially today.
MUGURUZA: Well, the first question, I think the important tournaments are the ones you’ve got to play well, the ones that really count, the ones that really take you to the top level.

At the end I was like – last year I’m like, Well, I did a final in Grand Slam; I won that tournament. But they’re important, so that means a lot of points and a lot of to the top level, I guess.

Q. What do you think was the technical key to win today?
MUGURUZA: I just have a very aggressive game. I go for my shots with no regrets, even if I play to the fence. I don’t think I did nothing special today. Just a lot of confidence. Just a lot of — like how can I explain? Like attack mindset, you know, to her. That worked.

Q. Do you think watching Kerber winning against Serena in Melbourne has given you a bit more belief for this final? Was it in your mind, Okay, she did it? Maybe that means the opening can be for me, too?
MUGURUZA: Yeah, I thought about it. I thought about it yesterday. I’m like, Come on. You can do it.

When you see people that are winning and there’s new faces, makes you think like, I can be one of those faces. I can be the one who — Hey, if Kerber can I can, or whoever is there. Yeah, for sure, it helps to see new faces.

Garbine Muguruza

Moderator: Questions in Spanish.

Q. What did you feel during the last game when the chair umpire said, Game, set, match?
MUGURUZA: Well, there was a moment when nobody knew and would say that I had won the match. People are asking me what I feel, but it’s several things that I’m feeling. It’s a dream come true. It’s a tournament that I’ve always wanted to win. It’s done now. I’ve done it. It’s on my list.

Q. People are talking about your ambition and the fact that you like competition. Can you tell us more about this, how you intend to compete and how this has helped you in Paris?
MUGURUZA: I think I’m ambitious. I think I have a strong character and I like competition. I like to compete. I like to play against the best players. This is a source of motivation for me.

I’m very happy, because today I proved to myself that I can play really well, that I can manage my stress and win against one of the best players in the world.

Q. There were very important moments, for instance, the match points, 15-40, and you were serving for the set. Which is the moment when you felt was the best moment for you, you were stronger, or that was a turnaround point?
MUGURUZA: Well, you know, Serena is never going to give you the impression that you dominate the match. She’s very powerful. Her serve is very impressive. She can win games very quickly. I wouldn’t say there is one point that was more important than any of the other ones.

It’s true that after winning the first set I managed to calm down a little. I thought I got off to a good start. I wouldn’t say that there was any specific moment that was a turnaround type of moment.

Garbine Muguruza

Q. Was there something in your tennis that you wanted to improve?
MUGURUZA: Well, a bit of everything, I’d say. Frankly, I have to improve many things in my tennis. That’s what I’m working on. I could have served better, for instance, today. I wasn’t feeling that comfortable when I was serving.

And by the way, that’s the only shot that you can really totally control. So I have to work on my serves, but there were other aspects, as well.

Q. You’re a champion. You have won Roland Garros. You are a Grand Slam champion. Would you say it’s okay? You’re satisfied? It’s done?
MUGURUZA: No. Well, of course I’m very happy, but I’d like to have more. My dream is to continue and win more tournaments, similar tournaments, and to dominate. When I am on the court I want to dictate my game and bring more of these cups back home.

Q. You said that this was an important moment or tournament for Spain and Venezuela.
MUGURUZA: Yes, of course. I think I have equal support from Venezuela as well as Spain. I talked more about Spain because clay is more of a Spanish tradition. Everybody knows that. All children start playing on clay.

I think that it was a major win and a great victory, as well, for Venezuela. I think that sports in general and tennis should be practiced more and more in Venezuela. I would like to have more children playing tennis.

Garbiñe Muguruza

Q. You were talking in English about new faces or perhaps new blood. On the Grand Slams you were talking about Kerber, and you mentioned others, as well, like Flavia.
MUGURUZA: Yeah, for a long period of time we had the same players, like Serena. They were always in all of the Grand Slams. And I think it’s incredible to see new faces and that the players know now that it’s possible to win, to defeat Serena. It’s like breathing new or fresh air.

Q. Patrick Mouratoglou was saying that the match was in the hands of Serena, and I think he was wrong. You’ve shown that it’s the contrary.
MUGURUZA: Yeah, that’s true. I heard this comment before. That’s true.

Well, that’s his job. You know, he’s Serena’s coach. But I don’t pay attention to this. I don’t agree with that. My tennis was dominating today, and we’ve seen the evidence of this.

Garbine Muguruza

Q. Your name will now be on the cup. What’s the name close to which you’d like your name to appear today? Which is the other name you’d like to be close to? Is it Conchita? Is it Serena?
MUGURUZA: Well, almost all of them. Being close to Serena’s name, of course, because she’s won so many Grand Slams. She’s part of history. There is Steffi Graf, as well. How many wins she’s had here in Grand Slams.

Almost all of the names I can see on the cup today. All of the names. All of them. It’s so great to have mine here, as well.

Q. I’d like to say a few words about women’s tennis and women’s sports, in general. After Roland Garros I suppose you’re going to play on grass at the Mallorca Open. I think it’s important for women now, women tennis players, to have a champion.
MUGURUZA: Yeah, I’m very happy to go and play on grass in Spain. It’s going to be a bit special. But I think it’s fantastic if I can play, as well, on grass in Spain. People will come to see us play. I don’t have much time left, but I’ll be going to Spain after this win.

All photos courtesy of Getty Images.

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Serena Hits Back At Haters… Literally

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

Women hear a lot of obnoxious things in their daily lives. World No.1 Serena Williams is ready to do something about it.

In conjunction with her fabulous cover story for Glamour Magazine, Serena starred in a video in which she hit back – literally – at some of the sexist things she and so many women have heard in their every day lives.

“Today I’m here to express some of the frustrations that I have about the obnoxious things that men sometimes say about women,” Serena says in the video. “I’m doing this for all womenkind. I’m kinda doing it a little bit for me, on the low.”

So what are some of the comments that drew Serena’s ire, compelling her to thwack a tennis ball at her padded-up co-star Alec?

– You’re really talented…for a girl.
– You should smile more!
– It’s okay that you’re upset. Girls are supposed to get emotional!
– You get really loud when you play, like really loud.
– Stop being so dramatic!
– So how much time do you spend picking out your competition outfits?
– Do you think you could ever beat a guy, just once?
– Only guy’s sports are worth watching.

Yeah. Don’t say those things. Especially to Serena.

Watch the full video here.

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Led By Captain Mauresmo, Garcia & Mladenovic Look Ahead To Fed Cup Final

Led By Captain Mauresmo, Garcia & Mladenovic Look Ahead To Fed Cup Final

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

The stage is set in Strasbourg as the French headline their first Fed Cup final since 2005, when Amélie Mauresmo narrowly missed out on a hat trick of titles to team Russia. Mauresmo is back at the helm over a decade later, captaining a next generation squad that includes Roland Garros doubles winners Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic.

“I’m lucky it brings out their best tennis,” the 2016 International Tennis Hall of Fame Inductee told WTA Insider in July. “They feel so good playing on the team, and are able to express their best during this competition, I’m very fortunate with that. It’s not only Caroline and Kiki, but also Alizé Cornet and Pauline Parmentier; I hope they can all rise to the occasion in November.”

That occasion puts them head-to-head against defending champions in the Czech Republic, who have taken home the trophy in four of the last five years and took out the French in last April’s semifinal.

“We have a very difficult team ahead of us. There’s nothing to lose, being the underdogs. We’ll give it a good fight.”

Garcia will be ready for a good fight against the likes of Karolina Pliskova and Petra Kvitova. The French No.1 won in Strasbourg earlier in the season, taking home the first of two titles in 2016.

Caroline Garcia, Amelie Mauresmo

“I’m really looking forward to it, but I’d rather be facing a team other than the Czechs!” she joked at the Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai. “They have so many great players, that they could even make two teams from all the players they have in the Top 50.

“But we’ve done well this year; not long ago, we were almost out of World Group, and we were fighting just to stay in World Group II. Everything’s come very fast for us. We are a very young team, and have nothing to lose; we will be in France, and we will give everything we have like we always do.”

Mladenovic echoed her partner’s sentiments after winning the Mutua Madrid Open doubles crown.

“We are all aware how tough it is to give all of yourself in Fed Cup every single year. Personally, I give a lot. You try to do your best, find a balance, and just be positive, work hard and keep going.”

She and Garcia duo rode a 15-match winning streak through the start of the clay court season, ultimately becoming the first all-French duo to triumph on the terre battue since 1971. Mauresmo took over coaching duties back in 2012, and admitted a need to adapt her strategies to a new set of national stars.

Kristina Mladenovic, Caroline Garcia

“It’s another learning experience for me, how to adjust to people, how to adjust to different personalities, different structures as well. They don’t operate the same way I did at all. You have to find different words, and it’s a challenge each time. But I love it. I love to adjust, listen to people, and decide from there what is the best course of action.”

Born in the same city as the two-time Grand Slam champion, Garcia earned the Fed Cup Heart Award following a heroic effort in the semifinals, where she and Mladenovic won a decisive doubles rubber to advance into the championship tie.

“I think it’s been a great opportunity to work with her. She really likes this competition. She gives a lot of herself, a lot of energy on the court. She’s had a lot of experience from her career in Fed Cup. She was No.1, won Grand Slams.

“She knows how tennis works, obviously. She trusts us and us on the court, that we can give everything. She wants us to win this Fed Cup; it was one of our goals, and now we’re so close!”

All photos courtesy of Getty Images.

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Vote Now: 2016 WTA Shot Of The Year – Group B

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

It’s time to crown the 2016 WTA Shot Of The Year!

Each WTA Shot Of The Month winner has been placed into one of two groups:

• Voting for Group A and Group B will close Sunday, November 20 at 11:59pm ET
• The two shots from each group that receive the most votes will then be placed into a final group
• Final Group voting opens Monday, November 21 and ends Monday, November 28 at 11:59pm ET
• The 2016 WTA Shot of the Year winner will be announced Tuesday, November 29

Group B

June: Agnieszka Radwanska
July: Simona Halep
August: Agnieszka Radwanska
September: Kirsten Flipkens
October: Angelique Kerber

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Cibulkova, Bencic Shine In Bratislava Exhibition

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – Dominika Cibulkova took the court for the first time since capturing the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global to play the Tennis Championships Slovakia, a one night exhibition event featuring fellow WTA star Belinda Bencic, Yannick Noah, Dominik Hrbaty, Radek Stepanek, and Monsour Barami.

Cibulkova and Bencic met the press and participated in a kid’s clinic sponsored by Tennis Arena before the main event began. The WTA Finals champion even got to sit on a throne to commemorate a career-best season, one that saw her reach a career-high ranking of No.5 and win a tour-leading four WTA titles.

Check out the best tweets from the night:

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Pre-Wimbledon Party Rewind

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

LONDON, England – Even the rain could not dampen the spirits of those at this year’s WTA Pre-Wimbledon Party presented by Dubai Duty Free.

The event, now in its 11th year, is one of the highlights of tennis’ social calendar. This time Serena Williams, Garbiñe Muguruza, Ana Ivanovic and Caroline Wozniacki were joined by personalities from the world of sport, entertainment and fashion, including Thom Evans, Katie Piper and Tallia Storm.

There were also some younger faces braving the worst of the British weather, Elena Baltacha Academy starlet Tawana Senah walking the purple carpet alongside Judy Murray, and WTA Future Star Karman Thandi getting her first taste of life at tennis’ top table.

Once again, wtatennis.com left no stone unturned in showcasing the best moments from The Roof Gardens, a live blog, galleries and videos complementing the usual smorgasbord of social media coverage, highlighted by the inaugural outing of Facebook Live.

A fleet of Jaguar XJL Autobiographies ensured the players travelled to the west London venue in style, and following a warm welcome from the devoted youngsters in the WTA Fanzone, Serena and company dazzled on the purple carpet.

Inside the party, players, media and guests enjoyed an eclectic menu dreamt up by The Roof Gardens’ Head Chef Antonio Borg, who drew inspiration from the WTA tournaments from around the world; scallop ceviche, stir-fried Noodles, tomato and mascarpone risotto balls, lime marinated free range chicken tacos and, in a nod to the host nation, fish and chips.

The drinks list, populated by among others Stella Artois, Laurent Perrier, Pablo and La Poderosa and evian, was just as impressive, while new partner Häagen-Dazs catered for those with a sweeter tooth, previewing its new limited edition Strawberries & Cream ice cream.

“We’re very excited to have hosted the WTA Pre-Wimbledon Party for the 11th year at the Roof Gardens with the support of Virgin and Dubai Duty Free. Both our partners continue to make the event an incredible success year after year as we celebrate the ever growing global reach of the WTA and the fantastic achievements of these inspirational women,” said WTA CEO Steve Simon.

To relive the best moments from this year’s Pre-Wimbledon Party visit the dedicated page on wtatennis.com.

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