Garbine Muguruza has had a difficult start to the 2022 campaign. The former World No. 1 was looking to replicate her previous season’s sensational form. However, in her first tournament of the season at the Sydney Tennis Classic, she lost in the quarterfinal to Russia’s Daria Kasatkina.

At the Australian Open 2022, Alize Cornet recorded a shock victory over Muguruza in straight sets. The Spaniard never really looked close to her best in that match as she bowed out of the tournament. Both of her losses have come against lower-ranked opponents.

The 28-year-old is gearing for her next tournament at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, where she is the defending champion. Recently, Muguruza was asked about her success last year, which proved to be a turning point for her season.

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Garbine Muguruza reflects upon her triumph in Dubai last year

The Spaniard touched down in Dubai to participate in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, which is a WTA 500 event. The two-time Grand Slam winner was asked about her victorious campaign last year.

She said, “It meant a lot. It was such a weird tournament; coming last minute from Doha, without a team – well, without part of my team, playing so many matches in a row. I think it was a hell of an experience. But it was good, gave me a lot of confidence in myself.”

Further, when asked about embracing the role as the defending champion, she said, “To be a target, it’s always good. I’d rather be a target than no one.”

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Before clinching the title in Dubai last year, Muguruza was ranked 16th and hadn’t won a title in nearly two years. Victory in Dubai proved to be a turning point for her as she further went on to win titles at WTA Finals and Chicago Fall Tennis Classic. Can Garbine Muguruza kick start her season in Dubai like last year? Let us know your views in the comments below.