Former Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza has announced her retirement from tennis.
The 30-year-old Spaniard won the French Open in 2016 before lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish on Centre Court the following summer, but she had yet to play a competitive match since January 2023.
At a press conference where she was announced as a Laureus Ambassador, Muguruza added: “If 25 years ago, when I started hitting my first tennis balls, someone had told me that I would become a professional tennis player, that I would fulfil my dream of winning Roland Garros and Wimbledon, that I would become number one in the world and win the WTA Finals, I would have thought this person was crazy.
“Tennis has given me a lot in this first part of my life. It has been a fantastic journey in which I have experienced unique situations. I have traveled all over the world and experienced many different cultures.
“I have grown and matured in a very different way than what can be considered normal, and now I am ready to start a new chapter in my life, which will undoubtedly be linked in some way to tennis and sports.
“I hope that my collaboration with Laureus Sport for Good is the beginning of many more projects to which I can dedicate myself and help young people through sport.”
Muguruza turned professional in 2012 and reached her first grand slam final three years later at Wimbledon, where Serena Williams beat her.
But the big-hitting Spaniard took revenge in 2016 when she stunned Williams in the final at Roland Garros, and a year later, she beat Venus Williams to add the Wimbledon trophy to her collection.
Fans with Wimbledon tickets in the earlier years will fondly remember the epic final that unfolded Venus Williams. It is also rated as one of the most memorable Wimbledon finals in the Women’s Singles.
She climbed to the top of the rankings in September 2017, where she stayed for four weeks, but consistency was not Muguruza’s strong point, and she slipped down the standings before a resurgence in 2020.
Muguruza reached her fourth grand slam final at the Australian Open, losing to American Sofia Kenin. At the end of 2021, she returned to the world’s top three after winning the WTA Finals for the first time.
However, the following season saw her plummet back down the rankings, and her retirement, given her long hiatus from the sport, came as no surprise.
Boris Becker Not Interested to Be Novak’s Coach
Tennis legend Boris Becker has insisted that he is not in the running to become Novak Djokovic’s new coach. The Serbian star split from Goran Ivanisevic after his third-round exit in Indian Wells after five very successful years together.
Since the announcement, Djokovic has remained without a coach, though plenty of familiar faces have been linked to the world No.1.
The 24-time Major winner was recently spotted training with Nenad Zimonjic. However, claims that he is in the running to succeed Ivanisevic have been shut down, and his focus is to impress the fans with Wimbledon tickets to win the title back.
Becker has also been tipped to reunite with Djokovic, having worked with the Serb between 2013 and 2016. However, the 56-year-old has also insisted that he does not intend on becoming Djokovic’s coach again.
The pair remain good friends following their three-year stint together, but Becker feels they are both looking for different opportunities.
Novak Named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year
Wimbledon legend and World No.1 Novak Djokovic was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for the fifth time in a ceremony in Madrid on Monday, matching Roger Federer’s record as the most decorated male sportsman in this category.
The prestigious Laureus Awards celebrated its 25th edition at the Cibeles Palace.
Many of the biggest names from the world of sport, past and present, were there to honor the most remarkable sportsmen, sportswomen, and teams from 2023.
Djokovic previously clinched the award in 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2019. His exceptional performance in 2023, highlighted by seven titles, including three Grand Slam trophies (Australian Open, Roland Garros, and US Open), two Masters 1000 crowns, an ATP 250 tournament – Adelaide International 1, and the Nitto ATP Finals, earned him another nomination and recognition.
Novak was also a Wimbledon finalist and finished the year as the world’s top-ranked player for the eighth time.
The Serbian star beat Max Verstappen (Formula 1), Lionel Messi (Football), Erling Haaland (Football), Noah Lyles (track and field), and Armand Duplantis (pole vault) for the top men’s award.
The Laureus World Sports Academy chose the winners, the ultimate sports jury of 69 of the greatest living sportsmen and sportswomen.
List of winners:
- 2024 Novak Djokovic (Tennis)
- 2023 Lionel Messi (Football)
- 2022 Max Verstappen (Formula 1)
- 2021 Rafael Nadal (Tennis)
- 2020 Lionel Messi (Football) and Lewis Hamilton (Formula 1)
- 2019 Novak Djokovic (Tennis)
- 2018 Roger Federer (Tennis)
- 2017 Usain Bolt (Athletics)
- 2016 Novak Djokovic (Tennis)
- 2015 Novak Djokovic (Tennis)
- 2014 Sebastian Vettel (Formula 1)
- 2013 Usain Bolt (Athletics)
- 2012 Novak Djokovic (Tennis)
Often considered “the Oscars of sports,” the Laureus World Sports Awards are given to aspiring sportspeople who have contributed immensely to the sporting world in the last year.
Despite missing the prized possession of Wimbledon last year, Novak Djokovic had a stunning year around the world, his official full tour after Covid-19.
The win in the US Open was the perfect end to his season. But Djokovic is one person who does not live in the spotlight but wants more. After disappointing the fans with Wimbledon tickets last season, he aspires to be one better.
The award will only propel our generation’s ‘greatest’ tennis player to yearn for more as he looks for a successful 2024 season, including the Wimbledon and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Wimbledon fans wish to see their maestro in full swing. Djokovic is undoubtedly a household figure, and if he wins this year, he will officially be equal to Roger Federer in Wimbledon titles.
Currently, Roger Federer has 8.