World No. 12 Carla Suarez Navarro, who will earn a career-high ranking after her run to the Miami Open final, would someday like to became the No. 1 player in the sport. The 26-year-old turned pro in 2003 and will crack the WTA Top 10 for the first time on Monday.
“Normally all the tennis player want to be No. 1, but the first step I think is be in Top 100 and Top 50, then Top 20, Top 10, and you never know,” said Suarez Navarro. “But I want to be No. 1, yeah.”
The Spaniard will face Serena Williams in her first Premier Mandatory tournament final on Saturday. And having gotten this far, she doesn't want to stop there. Suarez Navarro believes she is playing better than she ever has, and knows how to use her game most effectively.
“I was practicing really hard during the off-season—also every day during tournaments—so, you know, more experience,” she said about her improved form. “I know more all the players. I play a lot of important matches in big tournaments, so maybe that's why.”