NEW YORK(SMI-WIRE,08.26-09.10.17)The USTA held its annual US Open player media availibility today, inviting credentialed US & International press members from broadcast and media outlets to participate in a press conference with World Ranked men's & women's tennis professional players that will compete in the 2017 US Open Tennis Championship starting on August 28, 2017 at Flushing Meadow Park Queens New York.

Top players from Karolina Pliskova (Czech, world ranked# 1 ), Rafael Nadal(Spaniard, world ranked # 1), Simona Halep (Romanian, world ranked #2), Roger Fereder (Swiss world ranked #3), Garbine Muguruza( Spaniard-Venezuelan world ranked #3 ), Angelique Kerber (German, world ranked #6 ),  Alexander Zverev (German, world ranked #6), Madison Keys (American, world ranked # 16), Andy Murray (British, world ranked # 2), and Caroline Wozniacki( Danish, world ranked #5 ), participated in the player media availibility event with the press

Garbine Muguruza is a Spanish-Venezuelan professional tennis player, who turned professional in 2012. She has won five singles titles, including two majors at the 2016 French Open  and the 2017 Wimbledom Championships. She achieved her career-high ranking of world No. 2 in 2016 after her French Open triumph, and is currently ranked world No. 3 by the WTA as of 21 August 2017.

Equipped with powerful groundstrokes and an aggressive game style, Muguruza first came into prominence by reaching the last 16 of the 2014 Australian Open, where she scored an upset over former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki en route. She then defeated Serena Williams in the second round of the French Open that same year, beating the then-world No. 1 in straight sets en route to the quarterfinals. In 2015, at the Wimbledon Championships, she sailed to her ever first Grand Slam final where she lost to Serena Williams, and then went on to win her maiden Premier-level crown by capturing the China Open title. That same year, she also qualified for her first WTA Finals in singles scoring a perfect winning record in the round-robin stage before falling out in the semi-finals to eventual champion Agnieszka Radwanska.

Muguruza has been successful in doubles, winning five titles, finishing runner-up at the 2015 WTA Finals and reaching the 2014 French Open semi-finals.

Muguruza's trademark are her flat, powerful groundstrokes off of both wings, 'the two sided threat.' They allow her to take time away from her opponents and dictate baseline rallies. She also possesses a powerful serve that is capable of reaching speeds of up to 113 mph (182 km/h).Fellow tennis player Agnieszka Rawanska describes Muguruza's playing style as being "very explosive, especially from every shot. So forehand, backhand, serve, return, everything is coming to you so fast.

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Starlight Media Illustrated attended the player-media availibility event at the US Open and this is what Garbine Muguruza said during the Q & A from the press :

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Q. How different does it feel to be at the US Open this year as it compares to years past or specifically last year?

GARBIÑE MUGURUZA: Not a big difference. I guess, you know, maybe a more favorite, I guess, or that's -- I don't know, feeling.

Nothing different. I'm happy to be back. Last major of the year. Looking forward to improve my last results.

Q. One of the big stories coming into the tournament is the return of Maria Sharapova. When you think about her game, what do you think of most and what are your thoughts on her being back?

GARBIÑE MUGURUZA: What I think of her, I think she's a fighter, you know, great attitude, big fight, spirit in the court.

Well, I guess the fans want her back. I guess she -- you know, she will improve the tournament. That's what it feels like.

Q. How do you feel about her being given a wildcard?

GARBIÑE MUGURUZA: Well, it's once again something really tricky to answer, because I guess when someone has been, you know -- I don't know if it's banned, the word, or, like, out of competition, I think you have to work for it, you know, a little bit to go and play your tournaments and not help that much sometimes, you know. You've got to work hard and deserve it again. I think that's the way.

Q. No fewer than eight women come into this tournament with the possibility of walking out No. 1 at the end. What's that say about the wide-open nature of the tournament? Not just for people like you at the very top but for like the rest of the field.

GARBIÑE MUGURUZA: Well, it is going to be a fun tournament, I guess, because there is a lot of movement. A lot of things can happen. I just think it's great. It's great for the fans, for the people who are going to watch who is winning, who's not.

And then there is new names, options, also, so it's interesting.

Q. How different do you feel at the US Open this year compared to last year? I mean, coming off the summer and how you played, are the shoulders more relaxed? Do you feel less pressure? Mentally how are you?

GARBIÑE MUGURUZA: I don't feel more relaxed. Of course, being in a Grand Slam, doesn't matter what you did before. Is always nervous and excitement.

Like I said before, I don't really feel different. You know, I always come very, like, full of hope here to try to make a good tournament. Even before it didn't really happen, every year, new page and just looking forward to see what happens.

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Q. What do you think about the rules changes, quallies, time clock, coaching for women?

GARBIÑE MUGURUZA: Well, they have to test it. So maybe it's not a bad way to start testing. They can also do it in other events. I don't know. If they want to test it they have to do it somehow, somewhere. It's a good start.

Q. When you won your first Grand Slam, you kind of struggled a little bit after that. After Wimbledon, you have had a good summer since. Are you approaching this any differently? If so, how?

GARBIÑE MUGURUZA: Well, I'm approaching it as I try to -- the only thing, like, I have to, you know, like win. You know, that's what I want, of course.

But try to be realistic, I guess. Not because I won before a Grand Slam or a tournament or something's going to come here and help me. I'm sure it helps me with my motivation and confidence but after that you have to go out there and play. All these players are playing great. They're going to give you the hardest battle. There is nothing granted.

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Q. New York is definitely a different place to play a tournament. What do you make of the city? Do you feel like you have adjusted to it over the years, coming back year after year?

GARBIÑE MUGURUZA: I think here it's all about the balance, finding a nice spirit of competition and also enjoying a little bit of the city, to not get overwhelmed about the city and what is going on. So that's what I'm looking for. Enjoy, once I get out of the tennis court, try and enjoy the city, because it's very, 24/7 alive. That's how I feel.

And after, be fresh to compete

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Q. How would you describe yourself as a hard court player right now?

GARBIÑE MUGURUZA: Well, I think it's very similar to other surface, you know. I think my game is quite similar. You know, I'm a very aggressive player. Try to fear less as possible and getting the control, so I think hard court also helps me in that way.

Q. And your degree of confidence on hard court right now versus any time in your career?

GARBIÑE MUGURUZA: Honestly, not especially confident. I think I had good tournaments in a row, which is great for me, but I had good results also in hard court, so I'm not that surprised that I can play in hard court. I don't know.