November 18, (THEWILL) – In the final of the WTA Finals in Guadalajara, Mexico, Garbine Muguruza defeated Anett Kontaveit to become the first Spaniard to win the coveted season-ending event.
Muguruza won in straight sets for the second time in three days, 6-3 7-5, but it was far from a straightforward victory over Kontaveit, who made an incredible run to the final.
There were times when Kontaveit appeared to be on her way back after dropping the first set, but Muguruza kept her cool and maintained her determination to win.
With her latest victory, the 28-year-old will return to world No. 3 in next week’s rankings after winning three titles in 2021, the most she has ever won in a single season.
She was, therefore, understandably ecstatic. “Wow. I mean, I didn’t think all of these things because I didn’t want to have more pressure,” Muguruza said of making history for her country.
“But it feels amazing to be part of the history and you know, this is a very special tournament.
“Only the best eight and you feel like every match is a final – and I made it.”
When asked what she will do next, she said she would take a “well-deserved rest,” adding “I mean, I don’t even want to think about next year because it’s been a long year. This is the moment just to enjoy this victory because it’s almost, I guess, the biggest title you can have…”
She finished by saying: “We’re going to have some tequila, have fun, lose all the tension we’ve been having and holding. I think the whole team deserves it.”
It is Muguruza’s 10th career title and her biggest since her Grand Slam victories at Roland Garros in 2016 and Wimbledon in 2017.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
