Gabri to team with Feli and run Madrid Masters

Next year’s ATP-WTA Madrid Masters will feature a tag-team pair of bosses as Garbine Muguruza joins Feliciano Lopez as co-tournament director.

The Thursday announcement elevates the former WTA No. 1 into the joint top management position alongside Lopez, who replaced late Spanish icon Manolo Santana several seasons ago.

The spring clay event is the only major tournament to use the dual-key system of equal local supremos.

Muguruza, 32, who returned in early 2023, won Roland Garros in 2016 and Wimbledon a year later. The 44-year-old Lopez also wrapped up his career two years ago after serving his Madrid management apprenticeship starting in 2019 with Santana while still active on the Tour.

The double-barreled wrinkle was proposed by tournament CEO Gerard Tsobanian, who served as right-hand man for former owner Ion Tiriac, who brought the event to Spain in 2002..

 “The inclusion of Garbiñe is not a symbolic gesture. It’s a conviction and a declaration of principles,” Tsobanian said.

“We strongly believe that leadership in tennis should be built from diverse, complimentary perspectives with equal voice and influence. 

“The experience of a Grand Slam champion like her is invaluable for a tournament like ours. This move puts the event in the place we want it to be; at the forefront of structural equality.”

Added Muguruza: “This tournament has always been committed to modernity and to breaking the mould. I’m so excited to form part of a project that continues to evolve and is not afraid to lead the way with significant changes in our sport. 

“I’m very familiar with the daily experience of players at an event of this magnitude – the needs, the demands, the small details that make a difference – and I think that awareness is essential in order to continue growing a tournament of this level.”

Lopez called the addition of Muguruza ”fantastic news for the tournament and a clear sign of where we want to go as an organisation. 

“She knows this tournament from the inside and she knows what makes it special. 

“Bringing Garbiñe into the co-directorship not only strengthens the tournament from a sporting and organisational standpoint, it also bolsters our commitment to real equality between men and women in all areas of tennis, including leadership.”