"How can Rafael Nadal win 9 times? Right away, I'm like it's impossible to do again" - When Garbine Muguruza joined compatriot as French Open champion

Garbine Muguruza once shared her amazement at Rafael Nadal's incredible achievement of winning the French Open nine times (now 14 times). Her comments came after she secured her maiden Major at the tournament in 2016.

Muguruza, who retired from professional tennis on April 20, after a career highlighted by winning two Grand Slam titles, reaching the top of the WTA Rankings, and numerous other achievements, delivered a remarkable performance in Paris that year.

The 30-year-old lifted her first Roland-Garros trophy by defeating defending champion Serena Williams 7-5, 6-4 in the final. Her journey to the title also included victories over players such as Anna Schmiedlova, Myrtille Georges, Yanina Wickmayer, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Shelby Rogers, and Samantha Stosur.

Muguruza received congratulations from numerous prominent figures after her remarkable performance in the claycourt Major, including her compatriot and the 'King of Clay' himself, Rafael Nadal.

"Congrats Garbiñe for your win at Roland Garros. Great news for Spanish tennis!" the 22-time Grand Slam champion wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

While speaking to the media after her victory in Paris, Garbine Muguruza was asked to comment on Nadal's message to her. She expressed her amazement at the 37-year-old's extraordinary achievements in the French Open, saying:

"You know what I thought? Like how can he win nine times? Right away I'm like, it's impossible to do it again (Smiling)."

Muguruza continued:

"But, you know, reading that tweet about Rafa, it's great for us. For Spanish people this is the tournament. When you're a kid and you practice on clay you always, 'Oh, I wish I could win Roland Garros.' Today is a great day."

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Garbine Muguruza on French Open 2016 win: "I was putting my tears away, No way I won"

Garbine Muguruza pictured at a press conference in 2024

During the aforementioned press conference, Garbine Muguruza expressed her feelings after winning her maiden Grand Slam at the 2016 French Open, stating that she couldn't believe what had just happened and "almost" felt like she had a heart attack.

"I was crying, but I was like, -- I was putting my tears away," she said. "I was crying. But I'm like, No way. No way I won. I didn't know what to do, honestly. To jump, to go to the floor. At the moment, I'm like heart attack almost."

The Spaniard mentioned that her strategy from the beginning was to stay calm, not be overly emotional, and tackle one match at a time, which ultimately proved fruitful for her.

"I did cry," Muguruza said. "But I have to say I was trying to be composed. As I started the tournament my objective was to not very emotional and to go every match. Doesn't matter which round it was, but to be calm."