Former world number 1 wrestler Garbine Muguruza admits it is «time to be humble» as she has indicated she plans to play in the lower level tournaments. Muguruza, a two-time Grand Slam champion, is 0-3 at the start of the 2023 season.
Last year, Muguruza had a very disappointing season at just 12-17. Muguruza, now ranked 73rd in the world, suffered a first round loss at the Australian Open on Tuesday when Elise Mertens beat the Spaniard 3-6 7-6(3) 6-1. with my rating.
I’ll also try to play in the top tournaments, but when I can’t, I’ll look at the other lower level tournaments. I will value the lower level tournaments, it is time to be humble», said Muguruza eurosport.
Muguruza could not serve for the match against Mertens
Muguruza earned the first break of the match in the second game, but was immediately returned by Mertens in the third game.
After missing a break early in the first set, Muguruza broke Mertens again in the eighth game for a 5-3 lead before serving for the opener in the following game. Up by a set, Muguruza broke Mertens in the first game of the second set to win by a set and a break.
However, Mertens refused to give up, breaking Muguruza in the second and sixth games to open up a 4-2 lead. After suffering back-to-back breaks, Muguruza responded with back-to-back breaks of his own in the seventh and 11th games for a 6-5 lead.
But in game 12, when Muguruza was serving for the match, it was broken when Mertens managed to force a tiebreaker. In the tiebreaker, Mertens opened up an early 4-1 lead before making her first set point to send the match to a third set.
After failing to serve for the match in the second set, Muguruza suffered three breaks in the third set as Mertens completed a great comeback. Previously, Muguruza picked up first round losses at Adelaide 1 and Adelaide 2.
