Garbiñe Muguruza rings in 30th birthday feeling "grateful for all the beautiful things" 

Garbiñe Muguruza is 30, flirty and thriving as the former world No. 1 celebrated her milestone birthday by sharing a few snaps from a stunning photoshoot this week.

The Spaniard, a two-time Grand Slam winner, began her 30th trip around the sun on Sunday, October 8. But instead of kicking off her week in China along with the rest of the WTA Tour, Muguruza enjoyed her special day at home with friends and family amid her extended break from professional tennis.

“Turning 30,” Muguruza shared in a pensive caption on social media, “and grateful for all the beautiful things I have experienced.”

The Venezuelan-born Spanish player commemorated the occasion with a set of dreamy outdoor snaps, as she donned a cherry red silk dress with asymmetrical sleeves by Cortana—a “slow fashion” brand from Spain specializing in artisanal construction with premium natural fabrics.

A small constellation of Spanish celebrities took to the comments section to share their well wishes for Muguruza, including Grammy-winning musician Alejandro Sanz and model Juan Betancourt, an ex-flame of former world No. 2 Paula Badosa. Retired player Carla Suarez Navarro added, “It’s time to blow out some candles!”

Back in April, Muguruza announced that she would be stepping away from tennis in favor of spending more time with family and friends, including fiance Arthur Borges, to whom she became engaged in May. The Spaniard last competed in February at the Open 6e Sens Métropole de Lyon, where she lost a fifth straight match (dating back to the previous fall) to Czech teen Linda Noskova.

In the meantime, Muguruza has been keen to explore new interests: Last month, she posted up a storm after taking part in a Zumba instructors’ event, and she was recently snapped at the San Sebastian International Film Festival attending the premiere of “Dance First”.

"I'm enjoying this sabbatical, I think it's good to stop but it's not a final goodbye," she told Marca in July.

"I'm trying to rest, be with my people, disconnect a little, but it's not a goodbye. I want to prepare to return, when I'm ready I will return to the courts."