The only athlete to defeat both Williams sisters in a Grand Slam final

History · Published 5 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Garbiñe Muguruza’s career was defined by a rare feat of dominance. While many have faced the legendary Williams sisters, Muguruza stands alone as the only player to overcome both Serena and Venus in the final rounds of a major tournament, securing titles in 2016 and 2017.

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1993, Muguruza moved to Spain at age six to pursue professional tennis. Her rise was marked by an aggressive style and powerful groundstrokes. She first gained significant attention at the 2012 Miami Open, where she upset two top-ten players in a single tournament. However, her path to the summit was not linear; after a promising 2014 season where she won her first WTA title in Hobart, she suffered a significant right ankle injury following the 2016 French Open. This forced her to train by hitting groundstrokes while sitting down, a grueling period of rehabilitation that saw her ranking drop significantly before her eventual resurgence.

Muguruza's peak years between 2016 and 2021 saw her reach the pinnacle of the sport. She captured the 2016 French Open and the 2017 Wimbledon Championship, notably defeating Serena Williams and Venus Williams in those respective finals. These victories propelled her to the world No. 1 singles ranking. Beyond her individual success, she was a formidable doubles competitor, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 10 and winning five titles, often partnering with her compatriot Carla Suárez Navarro.

After a final professional singles match in January 2023, Muguruza officially retired in April 2024 at the age of 30. Her legacy is one of resilience, transitioning from a talented teenager in Venezuelan courts to a global champion who navigated major injuries and high-pressure finals to cement her place in tennis history.

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