Saturday, August 13, 2022
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Simona Halep
Press Conference
S. HALEP/J. Pegula
2-6, 6-3, 6-4
THE MODERATOR: Simona, through to another final here
in Canada. What was your assessment of the match?
SIMONA HALEP: Definitely it's been a very difficult match.
She's a top-10 player and super solid.
We never played against each other. So I didn't really
know what to expect. But it was a great fight. I'm really
happy that I went through.
THE MODERATOR: Questions?
Q. There were so many boisterous Romanian fans
today. They were waving flags, screaming your name.
Just what did the crowd's energy do for you today?
Particularly in those difficult moments in the match.
SIMONA HALEP: Actually, it felt like in Romania today.
Many people were supporting me. Actually, I felt like
everyone was supporting me. They sent a lot of energy.
In the tough moments they really pushed me.
So I would like to thank them for that. And I'm waiting for
them, actually, tomorrow.
Q. This is your third time in this final. How does it feel
to be back in the final here in Canada?
SIMONA HALEP: It feels good. It feels great. I'm really
happy that I can play final again.
I love playing in Canada. I think I had very good matches
through the week. I'm really pleased with the way I fought
today and every match with the way I play.
Of course, I can improve. But I'm building the confidence,
I'm building the game, and I'm really happy that I'm in this
position.
Q. You won two times in Montreal. Do you note some
difference between the two tournaments? Like there's
same ambiance? Or for you it's not the same
tournament?
SIMONA HALEP: It's the same and feels the same. Also
the court feels the same. And all of the club. So I don't
see something different.
People are nice to me also there. I had great support in
Montreal too. I think I can say that here it's a little bit more.
Like more people in the crowd Romanians.
But I felt great also there. I won two times there. So
probably tomorrow I will just push a little bit more. Maybe I
can win here also.
Q. You threw your racquet or smashed your racquet at
one point. We haven't seen that kind of reaction from
you in a while. Is that just the frustration that took
over or the passion or what? How do you explain
that?
SIMONA HALEP: The fire is back. It's a good sign if I do
that. Like, yeah, it looks like I fight.
I can say it helps me sometimes. I don't know always if it's
good or not. But it helps me. Yeah, it doesn't look good.
But it's a tough subject (laughing.)
Q. You saved 12 of 17 break-point chances today for
Jessica. How did you stay very strong mentally in
those moments? And do you find you change
anything at all when you're facing those break points?
SIMONA HALEP: Well, it's always extra pressure when
you face a break point. But normally I'm trying to not think
about it and just play normal.
Yeah, many break points. I didn't know that. But today it
was really, really tough. She was returning strong. The
game was super solid. I felt like every point was a break
point. So every point was a lot of pressure.
I feel like, as you said, I've been a little bit more stronger
mentally.
Q. You play many years. Who is your tennis idol?
SIMONA HALEP: When I was growing up my model was
Justine Henin. I was following her because we have the
same height. And, yeah, I liked her game a lot.
Q. Back in the days, in the 2015, against Bencic here
in Toronto.
SIMONA HALEP: I remember.
Q. Was it one of the toughest final that you took part?
It was your left knee and the heat.
SIMONA HALEP: If I remember well, I stopped that match.
Because I couldn't finish it. I felt sick. It was super hot.
And, yeah, I couldn't handle it.
But it was a final. So I can say that it was a tough, the
toughest final. Because I had to stop. I don't like to stop.
But I have great memories from since when I came here
first time. So I take only the positives.
Q. I was reading a magazine story about you the other
day. Saying that you were so shy growing up that you
didn't even like to talk on the phone. I was wondering
how somebody like that survives in this world of
professional tennis where you're performing for the
public.
SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, I have worked a lot with myself to
get better. Tennis helped me a lot. It pushed me to face
tough moments, difficult moments.
I think I always been open to learn. This aspect helped me
to just improve every day. I accepted that I was shy and I
just faced everything like I've been.
I started to push myself to do some things that are out of
my comfort zone. Yeah, I think now I'm much better. And
I'm happy with myself.
Q. You said earlier in this conference that the fire is
back. I'm curious, what brought the fire back? What's
the sort of new passion?
SIMONA HALEP: The person next to us. Patrick. He
brought it.
And the vibe from the academy gave me the energy. To
see all those kids fighting every day to touch the dream
that they have.
I felt that I still can do it. I still have it inside myself. So
that's why I'm still working hard.
Q. In the second set it looked like you made some
adjustments on your serve. I know you can't get into
too many details with a match, obviously, to play
tomorrow. But what were some of those adjustments
and why did you make them?
SIMONA HALEP: Sometimes it's just about relaxing my
hand and just hit the ball. Sometimes I'm too tight, so the
serve doesn't work. But I've been much better today than
previous days. So I'm hoping tomorrow is going to be even
better.
Q. What key moment brought you back after the first
set?
SIMONA HALEP: I think after the first set I just calmed
myself down. I changed the tactic a little bit.
It was super fast, the first set. I didn't play right. But then,
yeah, as I said, I calmed down. And I just wanted to fight.
And I believed that I have a chance. Even if she was
playing great in the first set.
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