National Bank Open
Friday, August 12, 2022
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Simona Halep
Press Conference
S. HALEP/C. Gauff
6-4, 7-6
THE MODERATOR: Simona, you have an excellent
record against Coco and that continued today. Just talk us
through the match.
SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, I felt it was a little bit more difficult
today. She served super strong. And always actually it's
been tough against her.
But I'm really pleased with the way I stayed there strong
mentally. And I fought for every point. Which it was really
important because she's doing the same thing. And it's
never easy against her.
THE MODERATOR: Okay. Questions?
Q. You last won in Canada four years ago. I'm curious
how has your game changed or evolved in those four
years?
SIMONA HALEP: Well, yeah, there are many years. Four
years, yeah, I've changed a lot. As a person as well.
As a player, I don't know what exactly I did. But I feel like I
improved in many aspects. Pandemic came so I think it
was a little bit of struggling for everybody.
But I'm a better person. I'm a better player. So this helps
me and gives me confidence to work hard and to look
forward for the next tournament.
And just to fight for every match I play. I think this is the
best thing to do after so many years on tour.
Q. I think this is the first day that Patrick is sitting in
your box this week. Obviously it was really, really big
news when you decided to work with him. So what
has he really brought to your game this year? And
why was it so important for you to work with him at
this stage of your career as you're looking to kind of
take that next step and to kind of bring your game to
the next level?
SIMONA HALEP: I forgot your question, but it's okay. It
was long.
Well, first I would say that when I, before I met him I was
super down with my motivation. And like I couldn't really
work, keep working. And I was almost done with tennis.
So he brought this fire back and the motivation. He trusted
that I still can play good tennis. And he transferred this to
me.
So, yeah, we are doing a good team, in my opinion. I trust
him. I trust what we are doing. And I can show with the
results because I'm in a semifinal again.
So I'm improving. I'm working hard. Hopefully I can do
much better in the future.
Q. This has been the tightest of your four matches
with Coco so far. How has she kind of improved since
your first meeting at Wimbledon in the round of 16 and
what did you notice from her today?
SIMONA HALEP: She's a bit stronger. She hits stronger.
And the serve was much stronger today. Backhand is
always hard.
So, yeah, I think she improved a lot since we played last
time. But as I said at the start, it's always tough to play
against her. And you never know, because she's fighting
until the end. And actually she doesn't give you a point.
So you have to stay there and to fight.
Q. You have had such a solid week. You didn't lose a
set. How do you explain such a solid game from your
part?
SIMONA HALEP: Well, I always say that I'm working hard.
And I think this is the main reason that I can play good
matches.
And mentally I'm strong. Even if I struggled a little bit in the
second set. Also yesterday. I had the power to stay there
and to finish it.
So I feel the game is good. Physically I'm good. Mentally
I'm good. So I think it's all positive.
Q. You said at the beginning of the week last weekend
that you like yourself more.
SIMONA HALEP: Yeah.
Q. What you do mean?
SIMONA HALEP: In all aspects I like myself. I feel better.
I feel more confident. I'm doing the things better, more
positive. So I think in the big picture I feel better with
myself.
Q. Just wanted your thoughts on the potential next
opponent in the semifinals, either Putintseva or
Jessica Pegula, who is currently leading in the second.
SIMONA HALEP: Well, yeah, probably she's going to win.
I don't believe we played against each other. So it's going
to be a big challenge to face a new opponent. It's always
like that.
But it's going to be semifinal. So for sure she's going to
play good tennis. She's solid. She's in the top already.
She has, she had a really good year. And last year too.
But as I always say, I will focus on myself and I will just
fight for the match as I did here every time.
Q. After the match you went to the practice courts. So
do you want to talk a little bit about how that went?
SIMONA HALEP: Well, yeah. Patrick told me that I need
to practice a little bit more. My serve was not great today.
Yeah, I did it because I felt that it's a good idea, it's a good
thing to do it.
And it went very well in the practice. So tomorrow
hopefully it's going to go well in the match as well.
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