Muguruza: "I don't know why they have labeled me as rebellious and misunderstood"

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Many months have passed since Garbiñe Muguruza announced her retirement from professional tennis, a moment when the Spanish player began to offer a series of increasingly interesting interviews. The latest one comes from the colleagues at Esquire, where the former world No. 1 is more transparent than ever when touching on certain hot topics. Her on-court demeanor, gender equality, she even dares to compare Nadal and Alcaraz based on their character. Can you imagine which one she chose? We highlight her most interesting statements.

Building Character

“I always had a great determination to pursue what I wanted, but ultimately confidence comes and goes, so you have to trust yourself and your abilities. I was very sure of what I was going to achieve, I had a big ego, but this was gradually forged with victories and defeats. This is very important because then you have to be there in a match and stand tall, so little by little you forge that character in your career, you develop that thick skin”.

Nadal or Alcaraz?

“There are moments when we think a lot about what we say, especially so that it doesn’t turn against us, but I like to say what I think. Rafa Nadal is more reserved in that aspect, I like Carlos Alcaraz, I see him more relaxed, younger, I see that he talks more and says what he thinks. I believe that people also appreciate that and not measuring their words so much”.

External Criticisms

“I don’t know why I’ve been labeled as rebellious and misunderstood, maybe because on the male side everything has been very calm thanks to Rafa Nadal. In my case, by showing a bit more happiness or anger and not being so poker-faced, I've been labeled as rebellious, but I never felt that way at all. I'm quite emotional on the court, it was always visible on my face”.

Gender Equality

“There are still some things to improve, we are lucky that tennis is one of the most egalitarian sports. In the end, I am a princess in this sport, I feel that there are others where it is much tougher. In other sports, if you manage to be one of the best in your discipline, you can't always make a living from it. Tennis has many fans, it's very visual, popular, we have attention, media, money, everything. I feel fortunate to have played a sport where, in addition to feeling financially rewarded, there’s quite some equality with the guys”.

A Special Memory

“My best moment was when I became a master, it was very special. Firstly, because I missed playing in front of a Latin crowd a lot, as we only have one women's tournament in Latin America, which is the Madrid Open, where I always played badly. When I found out that the Masters tournament was going to be in Mexico, I said: this is mine. I have a very nice memory because I managed to win and felt very supported by the audience. Besides, it was the last tournament of the year, so you win and you have time to celebrate and go on vacation. On the other hand, if you win Roland Garros, the following week you have to play another tournament”.

Life after Tennis

“I wasn’t afraid to say goodbye, to retire. I see that this is something that most athletes find very difficult, but you have to know when to leave, when your moment comes. I never had that fear of the abyss. I know I can't compare myself to Roger or Rafa, because they are extraterrestrial, they are too good, but I wasn’t so afraid. I knew I would find my way, so hopefully, I find something that brings me as many good things as tennis did, or even more”.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Muguruza: “No sé por qué me han tachado de rebelde e incomprendida”