"I feel very privileged": Garbine Muguruza expresses delight after named as new WTA Finals director

Former world number one Garbine Muguruza has been named the new WTA Finals director. The competition is the final big tournament in women’s tennis. It is played in the months of October – November every year.

Muguruza, who retired from professional tennis earlier this year, has now been named the tournament director. The Caracas-born woman was quoted in a report as expressing delight after being given such an honourable position.

“I feel very privileged to be able to contribute to the future of this great sport as tournament director of the WTA Finals Riyadh,” she said. “I know how special this event is for our top players, and l’ve also seen its potential to inspire communities all over the world. I’m excited to work with a great team to present a showcase for women’s tennis that not only grows tennis but encourages all fans, and especially girls and women, to pursue their dreams.”

This year, the tournament will be organised in Saudi Arabia’s capital of Riyad. The deal was agreed upon recently which received criticism from some quarters of the tennis community as well, largely because of the Middle Eastern country's human rights record.

Muguruza finished her illustrious career after winning two major titles. Her first big victory came in 2016 as she lifted the French Open title after beating America’s Serena Williams with a score of 7-5, 6-4. Her second major title was at Wimbledon in 2017 when she defeated former world number one America’s Venus Williams in the final with a score of 7-5, 6-0.

Muguruza also lost two finals in her career. She finished as the runner-up at Wimbledon in 2015 when she lost to Serena in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-4. Five years later, in 2020, Muguruza once again finished as the runner-up, this time in the Australian Open. She came second best while playing against America’s Sofia Kenin, who came out on top with a score of 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.