Rafael Nadal: Garbine Muguruza reveals what she really thinks of ITF World Champion
RAFAEL NADAL is an “role model for all of us”, says 2017 ITF World Champion Garbine Muguruza.
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Nadal and Muguruza have been named the World Champions of tennis by the ITF.
The annual award is given to the players judged the best on the tour that year.
Nadal won two Grand Slam titles - the French Open and US Open - while Muguruza claimed her second career major at Wimbledon.
The Spanish duo become the first pairing from the same country to be named World Champions in 19 years.
And Muguruza, 24, paid tribute to 31-year-old Nadal when receiving her prize.
Wimbledon's Garbiñe Muguruza in pictures
Thu, July 13, 2017Spanish-Venezuelan professional tennis player who represents Spain at Wimbledon 2017
Garbine Muguruza of Spain celebrates victory in her Women's Singles match against Flavia Pennetta of Italy on day nine of the 2015 French Open at Roland Garros
He is a great role model
“Becoming ITF World Champion in such a competitive year is amazing for me,” Muguruza said.
“And (it) is even more special because Rafa has also been awarded on the men's side.
“He is a great role model for all of us, so it is a great moment for tennis in Spain.
“I knew that putting in the hard work would pay off eventually and it made winning Wimbledon and achieving the No 1 ranking so special.
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“I’m motivated to take everything I’ve learned this year and apply it to my work next season.”
Muguruza is preparing for next month’s Australian Open, where she will hope will hope to progress further than her previous best finish of the quarter-final stage this year.
