Garbine Muguruza Named Co-Tournament Director in Madrid

All of the sport’s biggest names have lifted the trophy in Madrid. Rafael Nadal won the title five times, Novak Djokovic has three championships, Andy Murray claimed the title twice, and Roger Federer won it three times. The women’s tournament began in 2009, and its champions list reads like an all-time greats lineup as well: Serena Williams won twice, Maria Sharapova captured the title, Simona Halep claimed two championships, Petra Kvitová won three times, Iga Świątek lifted the trophy once, and the current top WTA player Aryna Sabalenka already owns three Madrid titles.

Muguruza’s History in Madrid

Muguruza reached two doubles finals in Madrid, but her singles record at the tournament was a pedestrian 7–9. Still, her overall résumé places her firmly among the best players of her generation. The Spanish star spent four years inside the WTA Top 10 and officially retired in 2023 at just 32 years old. The defining achievements of her career were two Grand Slam titles — the 2016 French Open and Wimbledon 2017.

After retiring due to injuries, Muguruza transitioned quickly into the management side of professional tennis, signaling an intention to remain closely involved with the sport beyond her playing career.

From the WTA Finals to WTA Madrid

With strong relationships across the current locker room, Muguruza was named tournament director of the WTA Finals in Riyadh in 2024. At the time, the WTA noted that at least eight former players were holding prominent tournament director or leadership roles, including Laura Robson in Nottingham. The Australian Open also noted that Li Na is now tournament director in Hong Kong.

What a Tournament Director Is Responsible For

While tournament director titles can sound ceremonial, the role carries significant responsibility behind the scenes. A tournament director acts as the primary link between players, the ATP and WTA tours, sponsors, broadcasters, and local organizers, ensuring that the event runs smoothly both competitively and commercially.

On the sporting side, tournament directors oversee scheduling, practice court access, player services, and on-site conditions in coordination with tour officials and umpires. They are also involved in handling weather delays, responding to player concerns, and resolving disputes during the event. At combined tournaments like Madrid, balancing the needs of both the men’s and women’s competitions adds an extra layer of complexity.

Off the court, tournament directors help shape the overall presentation of the event. That includes sponsorship integration, media obligations, fan experience, and long-term planning. For former players like Muguruza, first-hand experience on tour allows them to advocate for player-friendly decisions while maintaining the commercial growth necessary for a premier Masters-level tournament.

Spanish Tennis Relies on Former Greats for Success

Spanish tournaments in particular have leaned heavily on former players to run tournament operations — as well as the Davis Cup team. David Ferrer, Spain’s Davis Cup captain, is tournament director in Barcelona, while Feliciano López began his time as tournament director in Madrid in 2019 while he was still an active player. López retired in 2023 after a lengthy career and will now work alongside Muguruza.

Creating player- and fan-friendly events remains a core focus for Spanish tournaments, and Muguruza’s credibility with players is expected to be a major asset in that effort.

Muguruza’s appointment is not the only major off-season headline for the WTA on the corporate side. Mercedes-Benz was announced as the new title sponsor for the WTA Tour as the organization continues to push for long-term revenue growth and increased global visibility.