Garbine Muguruza has made a strong statement in her first year as the Madrid Open tournament director.
Muguruza won two Grand Slam titles and was world number one before officially retiring from tennis in 2024.
Since retiring from tennis, Muguruza has been tournament director of the WTA Finals and is now beginning her role as co-tournament director at the Madrid Open, alongside Feliciano Lopez.
As Muguruza begins her role at her home WTA 1000 tournament, she has been asked if she thinks the Madrid Open could become a Grand Slam in the future.
Garbine Muguruza suggests the Madrid Open could be a Grand Slam
There have been four Grand Slam tournaments since 1904, but there is often a debate about whether there should be a fifth major tournament.
Indian Wells has been suggested as a potential fifth Grand Slam before, and now Muguruza has been asked if she thinks the Madrid Open would be capable to fill this role.
“It has everything to compete on that level,” said Muguruza, as reported by mutuamadridopen.com. “Three stadiums with roofs on clay, loads of courts, great organisation. In terms of quality, it’s second to none.”
There are a total of 30 courts at the Madrid Open’s Caja Magica venue, including three main show courts, with the biggest being the Estadio Manolo Santana, which can seat up to 12,442 spectators.
The Madrid Open has been more similar to a Grand Slam since 2023, when it was expanded to 96 players in the main draw and extended to become a 12-day event.
Should there be a fifth Grand Slam?
If so, which tournament would it be?
Did Garbine Muguruza ever win the Madrid Open?
Although Muguruza is the Madrid Open tournament director, it was actually the worst WTA 1000 tournament of her career in terms of results.
The Spaniard won only six of her 14 matches in her eight appearances at the Madrid Open, and was unable to ever surpass the third round.
Muguruza’s last appearance at the Madrid Open came in 2022, where she lost in the second round to Anhelina Kalinina.
| Year | Garbine Muguruza’s result at the Madrid Open |
| 2012 | First Round |
| 2014 | Second Round |
| 2015 | Second Round |
| 2016 | Second Round |
| 2017 | First Round |
| 2018 | Third Round |
| 2019 | First Round |
| 2022 | Second Round |
Three Spanish men have won the Madrid Open, with Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero all lifting the title in the capital.
However, a Spanish woman is yet to replicate this, with Paula Badosa getting the closest to ending this drought in 2021 when she reached the semifinals.
Badosa lost in the first round of the Madrid Open this year, with only three Spanish women reaching the second round this year.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
