MUTUA MADRID OPEN

April 30, 2021

Simona Halep

Press Conference

S. HALEP/S. Sorribes Tormo

6-0, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You got off to a very, very fast start. The second set was a more tight affair. Do you want to talk about how she was able to play a more competitive second set?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, yeah, she definitely played much better in the second set and she was more aggressive. I lost a little bit of concentration at 5-1, and then I started to miss a little bit more. But even if I was set and 5-1 up, I knew that she can come back.

Yeah, I expected a tough battle and it was.

Q. You played Sara a few months ago and it was maybe a bit quicker than it was today but she's had a lot of improvement since then. How much have you been following her rise? Did you expect maybe a tougher battle than the last time you played?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, yeah, I knew that she is with confidence very high because she played very well in the last months. I knew that it's gonna be tough because she likes the clay, and her spin is not easy to return.

But I knew also that I have my chance, so I'm happy with the win.

Q. You have had a few weeks and a few matches now on the clay. How are you feeling physically and how happy are you with your preparation thus far in the clay court season?

SIMONA HALEP: I'm very happy. I feel the game. I feel the court. I like to play on clay. I feel confident. But here every match is tough. I just want to focus on myself and to get like better every day.

Q. I would like to know, what do you think about Sara Sorribes' season? She has won her first, with a title. Today she played a great second set, fighting until the end. What do you think about her?

SIMONA HALEP: I think she's a very solid opponent. It's always tough to play against her, even on hard court, even if she likes the clay court much more than the hard court.

I think she has confidence now, and she did great the last months. I feel like she can go higher, because she has the right game to win matches against top players.

Q. It's sort of like a hectic three weeks for you going from indoor clay, clay at altitude, and down to Rome. What are some of the things you have to adjust from week to week to be best prepared for these matches?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, nothing special really. You just get used to, if you practice few times, you get used to the conditions.

For me, if it's a clay court, doesn't matter the other conditions. I feel good. I feel confident. These two tournaments are the best, Madrid and Rome, so I cannot complain (smiling).

Q. A lot is made about playing at altitude. How much more difficult is it to adjust to those conditions?

SIMONA HALEP: I like the altitude, and we could see in the past that I won many matches here. So, yeah, I like the altitude. I feel good because I have an extra power when I hit the ball, so, yeah, it makes it better for me.

Q. I just want to ask you about your next match versus Saisai Zheng.

SIMONA HALEP: Yeah. We never played together I think. I know how she's playing. It's gonna be interesting and different, because, you know, first match is always tough. You have to get the feeling of first game. Hopefully I can play my best tennis and to win the match.

Q. You're coming off a very good result in Stuttgart. Do you feel it gave you a lot of confidence coming into Madrid?

SIMONA HALEP: I am confident, yeah. I won few matches there, good matches. You know, coming to Madrid always I have confidence because I like the courts. I like the conditions.

So, yeah, I'm good. I'm happy to be here.