Gabrine Muguruza of Spain
The young Venezuelan-born Spaniard, Garbine Muguruza is the talk of the town these days. Be it her solo Wimbledon final appearance or the buzz around WTA Finals, the 6ft tall player is achieving new heights which have no bounds. This promising 22 year old player is currently world no 3 in singles and 20 in doubles. Moreover, the display of grit and devotion in her matches compels us to believe that this young gun is destined for greatness.
Let’s have a look at her achievements and see exactly why she is hogging the headlines.
1)
“But, well, I just wanted to give everything I had, and doesn’t matter how long I was going to be able to keep it. I just went out there, and if I die on the court, I die, but at least I go out from there happy.” said Muguruza, who was trying to become the first Spanish woman since Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in 1993 to make the final of the WTA Finals, but lost to Agnieska Radwanska in the semi-finals. She has two WTA singles titles and five doubles title in her kitty. The wins in singles came at Hobart International in 2014 and China open in 2015 (both hard courts) and three of the five doubles titles with Carla Suarez Navarro.
2)
Muguruza has claimed 10 victories over top-10 players this season, more than any other woman in 2015, before bowing out to Serena Williams in the Wimbledon final. She had a positive head to head, against Ana Ivanovic, Caroline Wozniaki, Jelena Jankovic, Agnieska Radwanska and Simona Halep to name a few.
She has a career win-loss record of 232-115 and has shown growth and improvement every year. She has had a winning percentage of 58 in 2012, 61 in 2013, 66 in 2014 and 67 in 2015, clearly showing an upward trend.
3)
Her on court grunt is probably only next to Sharapova and Vika, but her never say die attitude, a reminiscent to fellow countryman Rafa, is what keeps the viewers engaged to her game. She considers hard court her favourite surface and the serve to be her best shot. Her deep punishing groundstrokes and fine drop shots are a treat to watch as well.
4)
“For me if Muguruza doesn’t win it this year, she’s going to win this or another Grand Slam at some point. She’s not waiting, she’s going and getting it, and that’s the only way you can lift a Grand Slam trophy.” said Marion Bartoli, the 2013 Wimbledon champion,on Muguruza after her semi-final win over Agnieszka Radwanska in the year 2015.
5)
Muguruza constructs her points well and is quick to change tactics when things don’t work for her. She has played 633 overall matches winning 73.1% service games and has a high percentage of break points saved(60.6%), her break point conversion is 45.5%.