MUTUA MADRID OPEN

May 5, 2021

Karolina Muchova

Press Conference

K. MUCHOVA/M. Sakkari

6-0, 6-7, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What does it mean to you to be able to pull out a victory like this one the way that you did and the fact that it was such a long, drawn-out process to achieve the victory?

KAROLINA MUCHOVA: I would actually appreciate to play two sets, but I'm happy I made it (smiling). It was a very tough match. It's definitely good for confidence for the next matches.

Yeah, I just look forward actually to rest a bit now. I have a match tomorrow. Yeah.

Q. What do you learn about yourself from going through such a match like this where I think it was nearly an hour in between your first set of match points there in the second set until you finally pulled the match out?

KAROLINA MUCHOVA: You know, I tried to forget actually those two sets, and it was 1-1, so we started with a clear slate. I just tried to stay focused and on every ball, you know, to fight till the end.

Yeah, it showed me that it was worth it.

Q. It seemed like the television commentators on the world feed pointed out as you were sitting there at the bench before the very last, during the very last changeover, that it looked like you were almost meditating, very calm and relaxed. Did it feel that way to you, as well?

KAROLINA MUCHOVA: I was actually kind of meditating (smiling). Well, I wouldn't call it meditating, but I was trying to get the focus right, you know, and it was very emotional and tough. So I just tried to be focused, again, I would say the same, be focused on every game.

So I tried to just calm myself and don't think about the score and play every ball.

Q. Will it be difficult to have to turn around and play your quarterfinal match tomorrow without a day off?

KAROLINA MUCHOVA: Yeah, definitely. It's gonna be tough. I would like to have a day off. I think it's almost midnight...

Q. It is.

KAROLINA MUCHOVA: Yeah, it's gonna be tough. It is what it is, but I'll take it and I'll try to do my best to recover as best as possible and to be ready to fight again tomorrow.

Q. What does it mean with the season that you have had to be able to reach the quarterfinal of a WTA 1000 level event?

KAROLINA MUCHOVA: It means a lot. I really, really appreciate to get into quarterfinals. Even after the break I had after the Australian Open, I have to say my expectations was pretty low.

Yeah, now I'm here and I'm really, really glad and really happy and as well for my team. We did some job, and they are helping me a lot, so it shows me that we are doing right way. Yeah, just I'm trying to enjoy it.

Q. And your health is holding up okay? Your physical aspect?

KAROLINA MUCHOVA: Oh, yeah, well, we have played now over two hours, so I'm a little bit tired. I'm still warm now from match, so I will see how I am when I will have some time off the court.

Yeah, I hope I can pull myself together for tomorrow.