Following Garbine Muguruza’s championship at Wimbledon, there was some thought that Conchita Martinez would stay on as the Spaniard’s coach, but the 1994 Wimbledon winner revealed she will not continue.
Muguruza defeated 37-year old Venus Williams 7-5, 6-0 Saturday in the final, winning the final nine games of the match to become the first player ever to defeat both Venus and Serena Williams in Grand Slam finals; she defeated the 23-time Slam champion at last year’s French Open.
Martinez talks about Muguruza’s successful fortnight
Martinez, who filled in for Muguruza’s regular coach Sam Sumyk while he was attending to family business, spoke to the press at Wimbledon about her countrywoman’s performance during the two weeks at The All-England Club:
“The whole two weeks, she’s played every point of every single match. That, mentally is very strong, and you can see players break down with that.
“For me, high intensity when you play a match is very important. She sort of did that. She plays relaxed but with a lot of intensity. Just point by point, I try to tell her, don’t think of anything else.”
She added that she knew Muguruza had the game to win in London, just as she herself did 23 years ago:
“She’s [a] very powerful player. It’s very important that she stays very aggressive, that she pushes and she goes for it. Sometimes you’re going to win playing unbelievable, sometimes you’re going to win playing ugly.
“The semifinals, I just told her, it’s another match, not a semifinal and today it’s another match, another day. I’m always in contact with every player but Sam her coach is going to step in now.”
Other commitments taking up Martinez’ time
Martinez will return to her regular jobs as both Fed Cup and Davis Cup captain for Spain. Having been promoted to the World Group this past year under her guidance, the Spaniards, led by Muguruza, fell to the defending champions Czech Republic.
Martinez was also able to lead Spain out of the lower tiers of the Davis Cup after their stunning relegation in 2014 by winning the World Group play-offs in 2016. They are currently in the quarterfinals against Serbia after a thrilling 3-2 triumph over Croatia in the first round.
It’s without a doubt these responsibilities that kept Martinez from staying with Muguruza full-time. Nevertheless, under her guidance, she tweaked the 23-year old’s game and brought her a second Grand Slam title to add to last year’s Roland Garros title.
Main Photo:
