Sanchez Vicario set for Singapore
Originally published on 01/06/15
The Spaniard won four Grand Slam titles, three at Roland Garros (1989, 1994 and 1998) and one at the US Open in 1994. She also won six Grand Slam doubles titles and in February 1995 she became the second woman after Martina Navratilova to rank No.1 simultaneously in singles and doubles.
As a 14-year-old Sanchez Vicario played her first professional tournament in Singapore in 1986. Alongside Navratilova, Sanchez Vicario will compete in the four-player WTA Classic Legends event at the Singapore Sports Hub in October as the eight best female players in the world compete for the end-of-year title at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals.
“I have a great memory of [Singapore] as it was my first professional tournament," Sanchez Vicario said at Roland Garros on Monday. "I turned pro when I was 13 and I was looking forward to maybe one day being No. 1.”
Speaking about her life now and of how the women’s draw has unfolded in the first week at Roland Garros, Sanchez Vicario said: "I have been away for a few years, I have children but tennis has always been a part of my life.
"What has surprised me most in the first week at Roland Garros was the loss of [Simona] Halep. She was one of the players I thought would do really well.” Halep was defeated in the second round by Mirjana Lucic-Baroni.
Sanchez Vicario also talked about the new crop of rising stars in the women’s game. The Spanish legend will also be an ambassador for the WTA Rising Stars and WTA Future Stars.
“It’s difficult to name one, they all hit the ball hard, they are working very hard, they are getting more experience, winning more matches, and then coming to Grand Slams to compete with the top players," she said.
On Court Suzanne Lenglen 21-year-old Spanish rising star Garbine Muguruza reached the quarter finals for a second successive year when she defeated Flavia Pennetta 6-3 6-4. She will face Lucie Safarova in the last eight after the Czech upset defending champion Maria Sharapova.
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