Former Wimbledon champion, 30, who ‘married a fan after he stopped her for a selfie’ lands new job
GARBINE MUGURUZA has been named the new tournament director of the WTA Finals, which is set to take place in Riyadh later this year.
The Spaniard, 30, retired from tennis back in April after taking an extended break from the tour.
Two-time major champion Muguruza had not competed in over a year before announcing her decision at a press conference.
Since hanging up her racquet she has remained around the sport, attending Roland Garros earlier this month.
She has now landed her first big role post-retirement, becoming the first former player to work as tournament director for the WTA Finals.
The event is set to take place in Riyadh for the first time this year between November 2-9.
Upon the announcement of her appointment, Muguruza said: “I feel very privileged to be able to contribute to the future of this great sport as Tournament Director of the WTA Finals Riyadh.
“I know how special this event is for our top players, and I’ve also seen its potential to inspire communities all over the world.
“I’m excited to work with a great team to present a showcase for women’s tennis that not only grows tennis but encourages all fans, and especially girls and women, to pursue their dreams.”
Muguruza, a Roland Garros champion in 2016 and Wimbledon winner in 2017, triumphed at the WTA Finals in 2021.
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The end of season event features the world’s top eight singles players and doubles teams from the calendar year.
It was hosted by Singapore between 2014 and 2018, before a lucrative 10-year deal was agreed with Shenzhen to put on the event in 2019.
With that deal KO’d following the pandemic, the WTA Finals did not take place in 2020, before being staged to varying degrees of success in Guadalajara, Forth Worth and Cancun over the following three years.
This year’s WTA Finals marks the tour’s first foray into Saudi Arabia.
Last year Muguruza married model Arthur Borges after nearly two years together.
The pair first met in New York’s Central Park when Borges, a fan of Muguruza’s, asked her for a selfie.
In addition to Muguruza, the WTA Finals have signed up Judy Murray as part of their team.
Murray, 64, has landed a job as WTA Finals Community Ambassador.