Garbine Muguruza has been appointed co-director of the Madrid Open, sharing responsibilities with Feliciano Lopez. She aims to address major issues in tennis as she transitions from a successful playing career to tournament management.
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Tennis - French Open Women's Singles Final match - Roland Garros - Serena Williams of the U.S. vs Garbine Muguruza of Spain (REUTERS)
Garbine Muguruza has wasted little time in making her mark as tournament director at the Madrid Open, already showing sheâs not afraid to take a strong stance on some of the sportâs bigger issues.
Before taking on the role in 2024, Muguruza had already achieved plenty as a player, including reaching world number one and winning two Grand Slam titles.
Since then, sheâs served as tournament director for the WTA Finals and is now taking on new responsibilities back home. She was named co-director of the Madrid Open, sharing duties with Feliciano Lopez.
As she steps into her role at Spainâs top WTA 1000 event, Muguruza has been asked if she sees a future where the Madrid Open joins the Grand Slam calendar.
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Since 1904, there have been four Grand Slam tournaments, but the discussion about adding a fifth major has always been there.
In the past, Indian Wells has been floated as a possible option for that fifth Grand Slam. Now, Muguruza has been asked if she sees the Madrid Open stepping into that role.
âIt has everything to compete on that level,â Muguruza told mutuamadridopen.com. âThree stadiums with roofs on clay, loads of courts, great organisation. In terms of quality, itâs second to none.â
The Caja Magica complex hosting the Madrid Open is home to 30 courts in total. It also includes three main show courts with Estadio Manolo Santana holding up to 12,442 spectators.
Garbine Muguruza has reached world number one and won two Grand Slam titles.
Feliciano Lopez is co-directing the Madrid Open alongside Garbine Muguruza.
Before her role at the Madrid Open, Muguruza served as tournament director for the WTA Finals.
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Garbine Muguruza may now be the tournament director at the Madrid Open, but her playing days there didnât bring much success. She had just six wins in 14 matches and never made it past the third round.
Her final appearance came in 2022 when she was beaten by Anhelina Kalinina in the second round.
On the menâs side, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, and Juan Carlos Ferrero have all taken home titles. But on the womenâs side, no Spanish player has managed to do so yet.
The closest a Spanish woman has come to winning was Paula Badosaâs run to the semi-finals back in 2021.
This year wasnât much better for local hopes, with Badosa exiting in the first round and only three Spaniards making it through to the second round overall.
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