AUSTRALIAN OPEN

February 13, 2021

Karolina Pliskova

Press Conference

K. MUCHOVA/K. Pliskova

7-5, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Talk us through the match, tough match versus a compatriot. How are you feeling?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: Obviously disappointed because I thought I had plenty chances. Unfortunately I was just not able to play well at the important moments. That's about it for today.

Q. Can I ask you about the rules. Were you given the second warning because of smashing the same racquet off court?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: Yeah.

Q. Did you know about that rule?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: No.

Q. Have you talked to anyone about it since?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: No.

Q. Obviously took you by surprise.

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: Well, little bit. But I think actually it helped me in the second set because I was pissed so I started to play well. So, yeah, surprised, of course.

Q. From 5-Love up in the second set, was it just a lack of focus, drop of energy? What was the issue?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: No, for sure not energy. I thought there were couple close games where I could really go 6-0. There was long game for 5-1 and 6-0.

I thought she just played little bit better at this moment. Of course, I played quite amazing to 5-0, but then it's quite tough to hold this level for longer time. I was going for, like, big shots.

I mean, I had chances. It's not like she would play amazing. But fairly difficult points there. Then on my serve, I just could do so many things better today, so...

Q. With this tournament in the rearview mirror, do you have a sense of where your game is, the certain parts that need more work are?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: No, I don't think my game is the top for sure, not at the top. I don't want like to be too sarcastic and too negative after because I just loss. It's tough to really say.

I don't think I was playing really amazing. The feeling was not great from any of the matches here. Some were little bit better, some were little bit worse.

I think overall, like, too many mistakes, too much like panic in the rallies. I don't know if it's just like not having any matches much lately, like even last year. Yeah, I don't feel like safe with anything what I was really doing on the court.