INTERNAZIONALI BNL D'ITALIA

May 11, 2021

Nadia Podoroska

Press Conference

N. PODOROSKA/L. Siegemund

2-6, 7-6, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Regarding Roland Garros, your performance there last year, it's been half a year since then, how has your life and career changed since you reached the semifinal in Paris?

NADIA PODOROSKA: Well, my life is basically the same. I still practice every day. But, yeah, I'm playing another kind of tournament with another players. Basically it's same, but something change a little bit.

Q. Is it exciting to be close to going back to Paris? You'll go back there and be in the main draw, have all these special memories as well.

NADIA PODOROSKA: Of course. Of course I'm enjoying playing again on clay. This is my first tournament after the Billie Jean King Cup. I'm so exciting to come back to Paris.

Q. Did the experience you've had over the last year, being inside the top 50, has it changed how good your career can be, what you can accomplish? Do you believe you can do bigger and better things?

NADIA PODOROSKA: Yeah, of course. I think the results that I'm having all this year, the last year, give me confidence for what is next.

Q. Talk about the match a little bit today. She's obviously a very tough opponent. You said it's your first clay match since the BJK Cup. How do you feel about the win?

NADIA PODOROSKA: Yeah, well, she's a great fighter. She plays a very good tennis. In the first set I think I wasn't there. I was thinking too much, I think. I wasn't comfortable on court.

After the first game on the second set, I start to play more balls inside the court, just try to play more in a solid way. Yeah, she start to miss some shots. I start to win some confidence. I start to move better. Yeah, then I think I play better than at the beginning.

Q. With your ranking going up, you're playing more events that you've never been able to play, bigger tournaments, WTA tournaments. How have you found that experience, that challenge, of playing week in and week out the top level of women's tennis?

NADIA PODOROSKA: For me it's a new experience. As you said, it's all new for me. Sometimes I start to think on that, but then I push myself just thinking on what I have to do on court, nothing else.

Yeah, on court that doesn't matter. It's just what you have to do. Sometimes I can, sometimes it's more difficult. I know what I have to do.

Q. What are your thoughts on facing Serena in the next round?

NADIA PODOROSKA: Well, she is one of my idols. It's an honor play against her. I'm glad that I have the opportunity. Of course, I believe in my game. I know exactly what I have to do tomorrow. But for sure I want to enjoy the match.