INTERNAZIONALI BNL D'ITALIA

May 11, 2021

Garbine Muguruza

Press Conference

G. MUGURUZA/P. Tig

6-1, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Can you talk about how physically you're feeling, how the week was in terms of getting yourself fit and ready to go for this week.

GARBINE MUGURUZA: It wasn't an easy week because I had to retire from Madrid. It was a little bit disappointing to me, also to my spirit. I tried to recover from Charleston to be ready for Madrid. It didn't happen. Yeah, we kept doing the work with my physios and my team. I feel better now.

Yeah, I'm happy with the way I played. It's been a while also since Charleston, my last week. Yeah, I feel better.

Q. A little bit tricky in a first-round match with the weather conditions changing over time, getting used to match play, European clay match for you. Talk through your performance today, how you felt it went.

GARBINE MUGURUZA: Well, it was a weird day. I woke up sunny, had an opponent. Then it turned out I had another opponent and it was raining the whole match. Yeah, we had a little bit of everything.

But, I mean, Rome, it's such a familiar tournament. I played here so many times. I've had nice matches. I love this clay, the red clay. It's familiar to me. Just looking forward to get as many matches as possible.

Q. About your health, was it a close call the decision to play Rome or was it never in doubt? Is it comforting to know there's an extra week before Roland Garros after Rome?

GARBINE MUGURUZA: Both yes. I mean, we decided kind of few days before about Rome, about how I was feeling. I feel like I have to feel ready to play in order to go out there, give my best. Nowadays you have to be 100% to play this level.

Honestly we decided the last days. It wasn't like a sure thing after Madrid, Okay, we play Rome. I was like, Okay, let's see how I recover, how I feel.

The other question was?

Q. About the extra week.

GARBINE MUGURUZA: I mean, in this case normally we have only one week, it feels okay already. But this year, yeah, I mean, I see it positive. It gives me another week to train if I want to, to compete maybe. So far it's good to have an extra week.

Q. A question about the Olympics. Rafa spoke earlier and said he really isn't sure at this point. Is there anything that would keep you from playing? If the games happen, whether there's fans or not, you'll be there?

GARBINE MUGURUZA: So far I don't see why not to play. I'm excited to be part of another Olympics. I've only played once, in Rio. Him and I are in very different scenarios. He's already a gold medalist. I'm excited about it.

For sure they're organizing and doing all the work they have to. Yeah, I'm looking forward in my side.

Q. I saw before the tournament you were practicing with Karen Khachanov.

GARBINE MUGURUZA: Yes.

Q. Before the season I saw you were practicing with Lopez. What is it like practicing with top male players?

GARBINE MUGURUZA: I really like it. For me it's fun. I get so excited when I have to play against the guys. You have to really give the level. You have to be super concentrated. Their ball, it's way tougher.

Yeah, I like it. I always look forward when there is an opportunity. It's not easy also to find a moment to train, especially for them to find a moment to play with a woman, but I would love to keep doing it. Yeah, I think it helps me.

Q. You mentioned the heavier ball. Is that going to help you if you're seeing a ball unlike you'll face against any women on tour?

GARBINE MUGURUZA: It's not a ball that I would not find on the tour. I feel like it's very consistent. They are much stronger. Physically they hold much more their rallies, the point. It just makes me improve basically. It pushes me. It's not that with the women I cannot, it's with them it's so much more difficult.

Here and there it's fun for me, I would say. For sure, not every time. Once in a while, I really enjoy have a feel, make some jokes, just push myself.