Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza is busy in retirement
It was bittersweet when Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza announced her retirement from tennis a few weeks ago. However, it has been a pleasant surprise to see her in the public eye so many times since making that announcement.
At the Mutua Madrid Open, Muguruza was a spectator. She also stopped by the Tennis Channel desk for an interview with Prakash Amritraj.
Icing on the cake was when Muguruza presented the champion's trophy to Iga Swiatek on Saturday. She also shared a nice moment with finalist Aryna Sabalenka.
Will Garbine Muguruza continue the trend of a noteworthy Spanish female champion who came before her?
It may not happen in the short term. Still, Muguruza's proximity to the game in retirement makes us wonder if she would ever follow in the footsteps of her former coach and Spanish tennis legend Conchita Martinez and become a full-time tennis coach. (Martinez is on a trial coaching relationship with teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva and has never drifted too far from the game.)
Muguruza is staying close to sports. Her first role in retirement is as an ambassador of the Laureus World Sports Academy. She is open to possible roles in tennis and media or other opportunities.
In the meantime, the 30-year-old is in wedding planning mode with summer nuptials expected to fiance Arthur Borges. The couple got engaged in March 2023 and have been together for over three years. The couple famously and randomly met in New York's Central Park when Muguruza was playing at the 2021 US Open. Borges was a fan who wished her good luck in the tournament and asked for a selfie.
Last year, Muguruza described the encounter for HOLA! Spain magazine. She said: “My hotel was close to Central Park and I was bored, so I thought I should go for a walk. I go out and I run into him on the street. Suddenly, he turns and says ‘Good luck at the US Open.’ I was left thinking, ‘Wow, he’s so handsome.’
Whatever Muguruza decides to do in the future, we wish her all the happiness in the world, but if she decided to stay close to tennis or eventually coach, we would be especially delighted.