Simply Wimbledonful
> Weight of Wimbledon tradition inspired Muguruza’s trophy performance
GARBINE MUGURUZA credits the aura and history of Wimbledon with helping push her over the line and claim a long-sought weekend trophy in the final with a 7-5, 6-0 defeat of Venus Williams.
The 23-year-old Spanish champion who lost the 2015 final at the All England club to Serena William, said that walking the halls of the club – its walls decorated with pictures of past champions – served as continual inspiration over the fortnight.
“I always look at the wall and see all the names and all the history,” the new WTA No. 5 said. “I lost that (2015) final. I’m like, I was close.
“I didn’t wanted to lose this time, because I know the difference. I really know the difference of making a final, which is incredible, but ... I’m so happy that it’s (the trophy) there now.”
Muguruza achieved her second major title after Roland Garros 13 months ago as she played in her third grand slam final.
“Once you step on the court, you see the crowd, you see the final, you see I’m here playing another Wimbledon final. I’m so very satisfied the way I handled it.”
Muguruza said that finding and keeping a winning balance is a tough ask. “It’s very hard to find a recipe to feel good fitness-wise and with your tennis.
“I think in this tournament I put everything together, which is very hard.
“Normally, you’re tired, I feel pain here, my confidence is not there. I felt at this tournament that I found (a way) to put everything together and perform good at every level.”
The new champion said her title was partly a result of finally adapting a grass-game attitude.
“At the beginning I didn’t like grass. For sure I suffered to play and to handle it. It took me a while actually to calm down, to say, ‘Hey, it’s grass, you have to adapt to the surface.’ “Once I played a Wimbledon final, everything changed for me because I felt like, ‘Stop complaining, your game suits this surface.’
“Since that moment I like grass and I’m going to look in a positive way. It marked a big difference to see it that way.” – dpa