Former Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza has announced her retirement from professional tennis at the age of 30.
The Spanish tennis ace revealed her decision to step back from the sport at a press conference in Madrid on Saturday.
“I feel I am ready to retire, to open this new chapter in my life. A new era, a new life,” she said.
“I was nervous, wanting to say it. I feel good, even if the word retired is a bit strong."
Garbine Muguruza has retired from tennis at the age of 30
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Muguruza reached world No 1 after becoming Wimbledon champion in 2017 having won the French Open the year prior.
She also reached the final of the 2020 Australian Open while going on to win the season-ending WTA Finals in 2021.
Muguruza announced last year that she was taking a break from playing to spend more time with her family and friends.
But the 30-year-old has decided to step away from the sport for good and is looking forward to the next challenges in her life.
“If 25 years ago when I started hitting my first tennis balls someone had told me that I would become a professional tennis player, that I would fulfil my dream of winning Roland Garros and Wimbledon, that I would become number 1 in the world and win the WTA Finals... I would have thought this person was crazy," she said.
“Tennis has given me a lot in this first part of my life. It has been a fantastic journey in which I have experienced unique situations.
"I have travelled all over the world and experienced many different cultures.
"I am tremendously grateful to all the people who have helped and accompanied me throughout this chapter because without them I would not have been able to get here.
Garbine Muguruza won Wimbledon in 2017
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"I have grown and matured in a very different way than what can be considered normal, and now I am ready to start a new chapter in my life, which will surely be linked in some way to tennis and sports."
Women's tennis icon Martina Navratilova, who won 18 Grand Slam titles in her career, praised Muguruza for her achievements.
“It’s a difficult decision for any athlete to stop competing for good,” said Navratilova.
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Garbine Muguruza also won the French Open in 2016
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“But Garbine can celebrate a career most players only dream about – multiple Slams, World No.1, a two-time Olympian – and I’m delighted she’s chosen to work with Laureus to use her position and profile to help made a difference through sport for good.
"I followed her career closely and even when she was competing at the top of the sport, she also had a focus on how she could help and inspire young people.
"That is exactly what we do with Laureus – and we are going to be stronger for having Garbine on our team.