adminWUHAN. — French Open tennis winner Garbine Muguruza said yesterday that it was about time women’s tennis had a “new face” at the top, after Angelique Kerber broke Serena Williams’ 186-week dominance atop the rankings.
“I’m happy that we have a new face in the world number one, not because I have a preference, but just because I think it’s good sometimes,” the current world number three told reporters in Wuhan, China.
Kerber became number one when Karolina Pliskova dispatched Williams in the semi-final of the US Open earlier this month.
The German beat Pliskova in the final to claim her second slam of the year after victory at the Australian Open in January, where she beat Williams in the final.
Muguruza also defeated Williams to win her first Grand Slam title, at Roland Garros in June.
World number five Simona Halep said that seeing Williams slip from the number one pedestal — where she had sat since February 2013 — had given players a confidence boost.
“It’s much easier to believe in yourself when you see that Serena is not there any more, like, winning every tournament, being number one in the world for years,” said the 24-year-old.
Halep ended 2015 as world number two and now has renewed hope she can win her first Grand Slam title.
“I feel that everything, it’s open now. I feel that everyone has a chance to win a big tournament, to reach the number one,” said the Romanian.
“Everyone has a chance to reach the top if we believe. And we started to believe more, I think,” she added.
World number eight Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain said Williams’ slip had left the “door open” to other players.
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