MUTUA MADRID OPEN

April 27, 2021

Garbine Muguruza

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please, for Garbine.

GARBINE MUGURUZA: Please don't ask me a lot about the draw because I don't want to know (smiling).

Q. How is your leg that you hurt in Charleston?

GARBINE MUGURUZA: Well, I am feeling a bit better. It seemed like a lot of time, but with the training and everything it's not that much. Yeah, working in a smart way to be ready for the day of the match.

But so far a little better, yeah.

Q. You've had a few weeks off now. How important is it coming into a very busy part of the season to be able to have a few weeks off? How did you spend your time?

GARBINE MUGURUZA: I mean, I think, yeah, it's busy now especially because there is so many big tournaments coming. I feel like they're all very packed now back to back, especially two Grand Slams.

Just trying to get as many relaxed hours and time and try to disconnect. I played many matches, a lot of traveling, plus the bubble, plus everything. Yeah, be more aware of the free time, I would say.

Q. How different was it for you to go into what was a very well-deserved break after Charleston kind of knowing your level and tennis, I'm guessing, is where you would like it to be, maybe more focusing on mental and physical rehabilitation?

GARBINE MUGURUZA: I feel like I don't think a lot about tennis. I'm more concerned about feeling healthy and strong physically and mentally. I feel like tennis, we all play very good. I mean, every player here, it's a tough opponent.

I feel like some of the difference are feeling fresh, feeling ready, especially with these protocols, to be able to feel ready to begin in this big tournament. That's really what I'm trying to prepare myself for.

Q. How did it feel for you after going almost non-stop since Abu Dhabi during the hard court season to finally return home, relax, leave the tennis racquet in the bag? Did you get a chance to think about the first three to four months of your season?

GARBINE MUGURUZA: I mean, I think me and my team, I think we thought about it like five minutes. Not so much, like, Hey, we're doing a good job, looking ahead what's coming now. I'm not really thinking about that. Now, everything it's coming so fast, big tournaments. Yeah, just looking forward for that.

I didn't actually drop the racquet for that long. I was trying to be prepared for clay and just recover my body. You don't recover so much if you stay in the couch. You have to do things. Yeah, that's what I did.

Q. Looking ahead to Madrid, your expectations for the clay season, how you go into this section of the season, how are you feeling for this tournament?

GARBINE MUGURUZA: Well, feeling okay. I mean, like, every year, once you start a clay season, just a little bit nervous. I love this surface. I want to do well, as always. Trying to not have too much expectation.

I know I started very well the year. Doesn't matter. Just trying to start from zero now. Different surface, different tournament. Yeah, I'm not thinking too much. I'm just letting it go, just keep doing what I've been doing.