Garbiñe Muguruza – from world number one to tennis exile

On September 11, 2017, at the age of 23, Garbiñe Muguruza became number one in the WTA (Women's Tennis Association) rankings, making her the best tennis player in the world.

The Venezuelan-Spanish tennis player had won two Grand Slam tournaments, Roland Garros (2016) and Wimbledon (2017).

Following in the footsteps of Spanish tennis legends Conchita Martínez and Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, Spain dreamed that Muguruza would also cement her place among the best players on the circuit.

And for five years, Garbiñe lived up to expectations. After the Wimbledon final in 2015, she also reached the final of the Australian Open in 2020.

In addition to these finals, she has a Masters title at the 2021 WTA Finals and 10 WTA tournaments. But something wasn't right.

The player lost matches against lower-ranked opponents, struggled to keep her focus and looked like a completely different athlete than she was when she was number 1 in the WTA.

After losing to Czech Linda Noskova in the first round of the WTA 250 tournament in Lyon, Garbiñe Muguruza decided to quit.

She had fallen to No. 55 in the WTA rankings (she was already at No. 1,061 in October 2023) and decided to give up tennis without a date for a comeback.

"I'm living this break in a very happy way because my body and my mind needed it, so I'm enjoying these moments," she told Women's Health.

There were expectations thats Muguruza would take a year off and come back feeling refreshed, but by the sounds of things no such comeback is on the cards.

"Right now I have no intention. My plan is to sleep, rest, be with my family, make up for lost time..." she told the press.

(Photo: Instagram - @garbimuguruza)

As she herself explains, "I don't plan beyond what I do today, tomorrow and this week."

(Photo: Instagram - @garbimuguruza)

And she's doing what she couldn't do during her time as a professional tennis player. “I go to the gym regularly, as many times as possible per week,” Garbiñe Muguruza said.

(Photo: Instagram - @garbimuguruza)

"I love strength training, cardio with Zumba, Pilates, yoga, boxing... I take the opportunity to do all the things I didn't have time for when I was training for tennis."

(Photo: Instagram - @garbimuguruza)

After leaving her elite training for professional tennis, Garbiñe Muguruza says: "My physical condition has changed, I try to stay in shape without training to the limit."

(Photo: Instagram - @garbimuguruza)

In addition, in more than 10 years as a professional, the tennis player has earned more than $24.7 million according to the WTA, so she can feel financially secure.

(Photo: Instagram - @garbimuguruza)

Despite the game being a huge part of her life,  she doesn't miss the competition and the grind of the WTA schedule.

"It doesn't take up my mind, my day or my routine. I still keep an eye on my teammates, I can play from time to time, but not intensely, just for fun," she confirms.

(Photo: Instagram - @garbimuguruza)

"I'm taking a real break and trying to stay away from the courts." It's clear that her comeback is becoming more difficult with each passing day, but if Garbiñe is happy, that's all that matters.