Garbiñe Muguruza named tournament director of season-ending WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia

Former world No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion Garbiñe Muguruza, who announced her retirement in April, has been named the tournament director of the season-ending WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia.

Muguruza is the first former player to be named to the post at the event, which she won in 2021.

Weeks prior to the Spaniard, now 30, revealing that her career was over, the WTA announced that its year-end championships, which feature the Top 8 singles players and doubles teams, would move to the Saudi Arabian capital for 2024 on a three-year deal, and offer a record $15.25 million in prize money. On Wednesday, the tour announced its appointment of Muguruza to the tournament director job, where she will "work with WTA, the Saudi Tennis Federation and the Ministry of Sport to oversee strategic planning and delivery of the event."

She will focus particularly, the tour says, on raising tennis' profile in the region, and promoting health and wellness initiatives to young people. As Saudi Arabia continues to raise its overall financial investment in professional tennis, which includes title sponsorship of the ATP and WTA rankings, the Saudi Tennis Federation has said that it wants 1 million players in the country by 2030.

Describing the opportunity as a privilege in a statement, Muguruza says she hopes to be able to "contribute to the future" of tennis in her new administrative role.

“I know how special this event is for our top players, and I’ve also seen its potential to inspire communities all over the world," she added. "I’m excited to work with a great team to present a showcase for women’s tennis that not only grows tennis but encourages all fans, and especially girls and women, to pursue their dreams.”

Muguruza's appointment adds another name to an increasing roster of former players who currently serve as tournament directors of various tour events, the most high-profile of those being Amelie Mauresmo at Roland Garros. In addition, Muguruza's former coach, Conchita Martinez, has been in the post for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals since last year.