Garbine Muguruza has secured another high-profile position, stepping into a leadership role as co-tournament director of the Madrid Open alongside Feliciano López.
Muguruza, who played her final match in early 2023 before officially retiring from professional tennis in April 2024, will serve as the tournament director for the WTA Finals in Riyadh. Over the first two years of the event in Riyadh, the former two-time Grand Slam champion quickly demonstrated her capability to manage the responsibilities of directing a premier event.
Now she is set to apply that same leadership to one of her home tournaments. Throughout her career, the Spaniard appeared eight times in Madrid’s main draw. Surprisingly, she found Caja Mágica challenging on clay, advancing to the round of 16 only once and suffering three first-round exits and four second-round defeats.
Madrid has long hosted a combined Masters and WTA 1000 event, and Muguruza is embracing this milestone role with enthusiasm.
“I'm incredibly grateful. This has long been a dream of mine because it’s the only women’s tournament hosted at home. It’s also a WTA 1000 event, which amplifies its significance. It’s an honor to contribute in a different capacity—off the court and in the office, so to speak,” Muguruza told Marca.
She added, “It feels like a natural alignment with my experience at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. Having spent two years closely connected with players, and as a former player who recently retired, I can support them effectively and ensure they receive the attention they deserve. It’s a logical transition for me.”
When the WTA Finals relocated to Riyadh in 2024, there was considerable debate about how players would adapt to the Saudi environment. To date, that transition has proceeded with few issues, and events have run smoothly.
