Hong Kong Tennis Open: birthday girl Garbine Muguruza will keep believing for return to ‘beautiful years’
The two-time major champion will be one of the favourites at Victoria Park as she begins plotting her way back to the top of tennis
Turning 25 on Monday, Garbine Muguruza was presented with a birthday cake at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium. When she blew out the candles, you can imagine her only wish was to get back to the top of the game after a wretched 2018, starting with the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open.
This time last year Muguruza, then ranked second in the world, was preparing for the season-ending WTA Finals in Singapore after winning her second grand slam title at Wimbledon.
But the Spaniard has seen her ranking slip to 13 after an inconsistent season, and she hopes Hong Kong can provide a spark going into 2019.
“I think it’s just a matter of keep believing, I will play good, keep working hard,” Muguruza said. “Not all the years are as beautiful as the year from before. It’s very hard to compare because it was an incredible year [in 2017]. I’m just trying to keep going in the right direction.
“I think everything I’m doing right now is going to help me for next year. My mindset is in Hong Kong, but also the end of this year, so starting for next year.