Two-time Grand Slam winner Garbine Muguruza is quite popular amongst fans worldwide. The Spanish player is currently in Australia and is playing at the WTA 500 Melbourne 2021 event. It is the first competitive tournament played in Melbourne this year. The Spaniard won her match today against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in less than an hour. 

After the match, Muguruza reflected on the differences in the tennis calendar year as compared to the previous editions. She complimented the authorities for being able to organize these events after the world has gone through a global pandemic. The former World No. 1 felt weird to play a tournament at the same venue which will soon host the first Grand Slam of the season.

Garbine Muguruza: “Too Long to Be Here but It’s Great”

The 2017 Wimbledon winner stated, “I have the chance to play in a tournament before. It’s too long to be here but it’s great and exciting with all the efforts they’ve put together to make it happen. I’m just trying to adapt, by playing a tournament in the club where you’re going to play a Grand Slam after. It feels weird. But it’s a good problem to have, no bad energy.”

At the same time, Garbine feels lucky to be able to practice on the same courts which will soon conduct the Australian Open. It will give her the added time to figure the conditions in Melbourne. 

The 2016 French Open champion further added, “I mean I cannot compare it to anything else. It’s a different circumstance. I feel I was lucky to have enough time to play on the courts and to prepare in the same place the Grand Slam is going to happen”. 

The Spaniard faces a tough challenge in American tennis player Sofia Kenin tomorrow at the WTA 500 Melbourne 2021. Kenin won last year’s Australian Open. The winner of their match will book a spot in the semifinal. 

Also Read: “If I Lose, It’s Okay”: Naomi Osaka Lauds Katie Boulter After Thrilling Victory at WTA 500 Melbourne