The WTA announced today that former world number 1 Garbiñe Muguruza will be tournament director of the WTA Finals Riyadh, the season-ending tournament of the Hologic WTA Tour. The 30-year-old Spaniard becomes the first former player to headline the WTA’s crown jewel event, which she won in 2021.
Starting with this year’s edition, which will take place from November 2 to 9 with the top eight singles players and doubles teams in the PIF Race to the WTA Finals, Muguruza will work with the WTA, the Saudi Federation of Tennis and the Ministry of Sports to oversee strategic planning and the event for the next three years (2024-26). Specifically, she will work to raise the profile of tennis across the Middle East and will play a central role in promoting healthy lifestyles among young people across the region.
“I feel very privileged to be able to contribute to the future of this great sport as Tournament Director of the WTA Finals in Riyadh,” said Muguruza. “I know how special this event is for our best players, and I have also seen its potential to inspire communities around the world. “I am excited to work with a great team to present a showcase for women’s tennis that not only grows the game, but encourages all fans, and especially girls and women, to pursue their dreams.”
During her playing career, Muguruza has qualified for the WTA Finals on four occasions, capturing the Billie Jean King Trophy in Guadalajara, Mexico in 2021. Her 10-title career singles title also includes two Grand Slam trophies, won at Roland-Garros in 2016 and Wimbledon in 2017 – victories that made her the only player to defeat both Serena Williams and Venus Williams in a Grand Slam final. Other notable results include three WTA 1000 titles – the China Open in 2015, the Cincinnati Open in 2017, and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in 2021.
On September 11, 2017, Muguruza rose to number 1 and held the top spot for four weeks. In doubles, she achieved the number 10 ranking in 2015 and won five titles, three of them alongside Carla Suárez Navarro, with whom she reached the title fight at the WTA Finals in Singapore in 2015.
“Garbiñe is a global role model who understands the power of sport to make a difference for people from all walks of life,” said Steve Simon, president and CEO of the WTA. “I know she will have the best interests of our players at heart, as she remains dedicated to the broader goals of participation and inclusion, values on which the WTA was founded. “She is a true champion, on and off the court, and the perfect candidate for this critical role in what we believe will be an exciting WTA Finals.”
Muguruza joins a growing and esteemed list of former players currently holding Tournament Director positions on the Hologic WTA Tour, including Alicia Molik (Adelaide), Anke Huber (Stuttgart), Laura Robson (Nottingham), Barbara Rittner (Berlin) and Valérie Tétreault (Montreal). In addition, Amélie Mauresmo took over as Tournament Director at Roland-Garros in 2021 and Conchita Martínez chairs the ITF Billie Jean King Cup team competition.
Her appointment follows news that renowned tennis coach Judy Murray, mother of ATP stars Andy and Jamie Murray, will serve as a community ambassador for the WTA Finals. In this capacity, Murray will lead a number of grassroots engagements, including visits to Saudi schools to conduct coaching clinics and mentoring sessions, while training the local workforce to enable them to build on current tennis programs and develop new ones. initiatives. The Saudi Tennis Federation has announced its ambition to inspire 1 million people to tennis by 2030.
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2024-06-26 19:09:13
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