As the tennis world anticipates the kickoff of the 2024 Australian Open, one prominent name is completely absent from the buzz – Garbine Muguruza. The 2020 Australian Open finalist has maintained a puzzling silence regarding her potential return to the courts. While the two-time Grand Slam champion has not officially retired, recent developments suggest that her comeback might be less probable than ever.
Despite not bidding a formal farewell to the sport, it seems less and less likely that Muguruza will resume her tennis career. The former world No.1 may decide to play a few tournaments, but even that is not in her current plans according to the information we have so far.
The last time Muguruza graced the court was at the WTA 250 event in Lyon from January 30 to February 5, where she suffered a first-round defeat to qualifier Linda Noskova. Following her sixth consecutive loss dating back to September 2022, Muguruza announced her hiatus from tennis in order to enjoy her private life. In May 2023, she made headlines by getting engaged to her long-term partner, Arthur Borges.
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In July of the previous year, during the Gold Medal for Sports Merit ceremony in Madrid, Muguruza expressed her enjoyment of the hiatus, assuring fans that it was not a definitive farewell. She stated, “I think it’s good to stop but it’s not a definitive goodbye. I want to prepare myself to come back, when I’m ready I’ll go back to the courts.” Addressing inquiries about her comeback aspirations, she explicitly mentioned, “US Open, Australian Open, Olympic medal.”
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However, a shift in her stance became evident by October when she declared, “Tennis has no place in my routine. I still pay attention to my teammates, from time to time I can play but not intensely, more for fun. It doesn’t occupy my mind, my day or my routines, I’m really taking a real break and trying to stay away from the court.”
Muguruza’s inconsistency in her statements has left fans puzzled about her true intentions. The 2024 season has already commenced, and the 30-year-old’s ranking has plummeted to No.1100, adding further uncertainty to her tennis future.
As the 2024 Australian Open starts in Melbourne, the tennis world continues to question Garbine Muguruza’s future in the sport. Only time will tell whether the Spaniard will make a return or choose a different path in life. What do you think?
I would not be surprised if she became pregnant this year.
Jim, agree. She will probably get married soon and announce pregnancy. If it happens that she breaks off her engagement, then we can expect her to return to tennis. Hopefully, she will stay happy in her love life and if tennis needs to take the back seat, so be it. She’s achieved a lot anyway.