Garbine Muguruza and Paula Badosa: WTA Finals firmly in Spanish hands
From a Spanish point of view, Garbine Muguruza and Paula Badosa have caused a sensation at the WTA Finals 2021 in Guadalajara. For the first time in history, there are two Iberians who have reached the semi-finals of the season finale for the eight best women of the season.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Nov 16, 2021, 09:01 am
Paula Badosa showed the way, now Garbine Muguruza has stepped up. With her convincing two-set success over Estonian Anett Kontaveit, the Spaniard bought her ticket for the semifinals in Guadalajara and followed her compatriot Badosa. This has caused the tournament's surprise at the WTA Finals so far, after two convincing two-set wins against Aryna Sabalenka and Maria Sakkari, the 24-year-old was already fixed in the semifinals after the first two matches.
This is the first time in the history of Spanish tennis that two players have made it to the semi-finals of the season finale. A Spaniard has never received title honors at the WTA finals. "What we're achieving here is extraordinary. We're making history and I'm thrilled to be back in the semi-finals of this tournament," said Muguruza after her success in the last group game. After 2015, it is the second semi-final for the 28-year-old.
Muguruza feels better prepared
This year, however, everything is different for the two-time major winner. "Experience is key. Now I know when to save energy because I will need it later, I try to be less emotional and I feel a lot smarter on the pitch. Time has given me a new perspective, me think that's the point, "explained Muguruza. In summary: She feels much better prepared for the semifinals this year than she was in 2015.
For her compatriot Badosa, who only really opened the button this year, Garbine Muguruza only has words of praise ready: "I'm really happy with what Paula has achieved," said Muguruza. "She has always had tremendous talent and has now found a way to bring it all together. She has played a game at an incredible level and what she did at Indian Wells was impressive." And in the semifinals? This is where the two Spaniards meet.