Muguruza eyes more trophies, not rankings
Wimbledon women’s champion Garbine Muguruza says she would rather be ranked tenth in the world and win more Grand Slams than focus on reaching top of the rankings.
Muguruza beat five-time champion Venus Williams in straight sets on Saturday to win her second Major tournament after her triumph at the French Open in 2016.
The Spaniard went into Wimbledon ranked 15th in the world and her victory at the All England Club will push her up to fifth in the WTA rankings when they are published on Monday.
The 23-year-old says she cares little for the ranking number next to her name, however.
“I think unless you are number one, because that is incredible... I have been number two, I have been three and failed to win a Grand Slam and there is no comparison,” she told a small group of international reporters.
“It is just having the trophy, having to have played all the matches. You have to play seven matches and you can face the one, the three, everyone.
“It is a different feeling. I don’t know what it feels like to be number one; hopefully one day I can be and I can compare but for now I’d rather be 10 and win Grand Slams than be number one,” said Muguruza.
Muguruza says the points and calculations are far from her mind and it is the big events such as Wimbledon and next month’s U.S. Open that fire her up.
“My motivation is to be able to be good and come to the Grand Slams and be a threat. The ranking is temporary but it is really to be a good player and always have a chance to win a trophy.
“That is what I train for, in the gym and so on; on the days you don’t want to move, you remember, if I work hard then I might have a chance to be in a final and so then you are strong,” she said. Muruguza’s form dipped after her first Grand Slam event victory and she hopes that this time she will be able to manage her expectations better, although she acknowledges that her attacking style can make consistency hard to achieve.
“It is difficult to deal with success. You have all these expectations. Hopefully I can just be humble, keep working and don’t expect to perform incredible every match because it is not the case.
“(After the French Open) I put a lot of pressure because I was feeling good and I thought ‘I wish to play like this every week’ but it doesn’t happen and so then you start questioning, get a little bit frustrated and it brings you down. Hopefully this time I can manage a little bit better.”
Thanks to my team who have been here day in and day out. I miss Serena. I tried my best to do the things you do but I think there will be other opportunities. MUGURUZA SAYS
POINTS AND CALCULATIONS ARE FAR FROM HER MIND AND IT IS THE BIG EVENTS SUCH AS WIMBLEDON AND US OPEN THAT FIRE HER UP.