(CNN) A little over a year ago, Garbine Muguruza defeated Serena Williams in straight sets to claim the 2016 French Open title and notch the first grand slam crown of her young career.
Now, the 23-year-old has her sights set on repeating her Roland Garros win and pushing on to claim more consistent success at the top of the women's game.
"Tennis is what I've always wanted to do so it is my dream to be on top," world No.5 Muguruza tells CNN.
"That is why I work everyday and it is my dream so I really [want] to achieve it," she adds
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From nutritionists to "super coaches"
2017 is turning out to be a bit of an annus horribilis for Novak Djokovic. Ahead of the French Open he teamed with Andre Agassi as the Serb looked for coaching guidance from the American tennis great. But Djokovic crashed out of the French Open after he was crushed by Dominic Thiem 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 6-0 in the quarterfinals.
In May 2017, Novak Djokovic parted ways with his entire coaching team in a bid to rediscover his "winning spark." Scroll through the gallery to see who has been part of the Serb's coaching team over the years.
A French Open finalist in 1973, Nikola "Niki" Pilić went on to become the first captain to win the David Cup trophy for three different nations. The Croatian coached a teenage Djokovic at his tennis academy in Oberschleissheim, Germany.
Djokovic was coached by Dejan Petrović from the age of 16, moving over 200 places up the rankings into the ATP top 100 inside a year. Petrović, an Australian-born Serb, also coached 2008 French Open winner Ana Ivanovic from 2014 to 2015.
Italian tennis coach Riccardo Piatti divided his time between working with Djokovic and former world No. 3 Ivan Ljubičić. Despite only coaching Djokovic until the Serb was 18, Piatti
claimed he always knew his protege was destined for greatness because he "battled so hard."
Former Czechoslovakia tennis player Marián Vajda coached Djokovic for over a decade, guiding his charge to 12 grand slam titles. The two parted ways in May 2017 as Djokovic sought "shock therapy" and a fresh direction ahead of the French Open.
Alongside Vajda, Djokovic worked with Australian 12-time grand slam doubles champion Mark Woodforde during the spring hard-court season in 2007, honing his volleys and net play.
With his first major under his belt -- the 2008 Australian Open -- Djokovic turned to American former world No. 4 in the summer of 2009. The pairing ceased when the Serb lost his opening match of the Miami Masters after Martin had tried and failed to rejuvenate the Djokovic serve.
Djokovic hired German fitness coach Gebhard Phil-Gritsch (R) in the spring of 2009 having identified conditioning as a weakness in his game. The two worked together until May 2017.
The most transformational figure in Djokovic's illustrious career was arguably not a coach but
a nutritionist. Dr. Igor Cetojevic instructed the Serb to undertake a gluten-free diet, immediately alleviating his breathing problems and bringing spectacular results.
Djokovic appointed six-time grand slam champion Boris Becker head coach in December 2013, citing him as a "true legend." It would become a fruitful partnership, with Djokovic winning six major titles in three years.
They ended their arrangement in December 2016, capping a tumultuous year for Djokovic, who released a statement saying: "I will make all future decisions." Becker, in the aftermath of the announcement, posted on Twitter: "Thank you! We had the time of our life."
When Djokovic ended his longstanding relationship with Vajda in May 2017, it appeared he was ready to go alone. But ahead of his French Open title defense, the 30-year-old turned to yet another so-called "super coach," approaching Agassi later that month and citing his "tremendous respect" for the American.
With the long-dominant Williams taking time out of the game to have her first child and current No. 1 Angelique Kerber struggling for form, back-to-back Paris successes are far from an unrealistic goal.
Although Muguruza has failed to win a tournament since defeating Williams at Roland Garros 12-months ago, she believes she has learned valuable lessons in dealing with high pressure moments.
The Spaniard also reached the 2015 Wimbledon final when she was beaten by Williams.
"I learned from all the matches I played against her (Williams)," she says. "I learned that if you want something you've got to really go for it, try to put the nerves aside."
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Eyes on the prize
Yet Muguruza is not alone in eying the big prize in Paris over the coming weeks.
Among those who will see themselves as strong contenders is Romania's Simona Halep.
Aged 25 and currently ranked No. 4 in the world, there can be few players enjoying a more fruitful clay-court season.
Halep won the Madrid Masters 1,000 event earlier this month and followed that up by reaching the final of the Rome Masters.
Having won the juniors event in Paris as a teenager back in 2008, she also retains an affection for the French capital.
"I love the city, I feel like home there and also because of the juniors. I won the juniors there ... (and that) makes me feel more comfy on court."
"We're going to see, I really wish to play the final there again in French Open. Hopefully one day I can lift that trophy," she adds.
According to Halep's coach, Darren Cahill, his player's form puts her in a strong position to claim her own first grand slam crown.
"I think any time you go into a big tournament with a little bit of confidence and having won a big tournament like Madrid it can only help.
"But in the end it's still seven matches over two weeks, you need a little bit of luck to grind yourself through some tough matches.
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"It's never easy but from a confidence point of view, from a physical point of view, she's in pretty good shape," Cahill adds.