ROLAND GARROS

June 10, 2021

Maria Sakkari

Press Conference

B. KREJCIKOVA/M. Sakkari

7-5, 4-6, 9-7

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What do you think was the difference in this match overall? So back and forth in the last set.

MARIA SAKKARI: Yeah, I have to be deadly honest: I got stressed, starting thinking that I'm a point away from being in the final. I guess it's a rookie mistake. Good thing is that if I give myself a chance again to be in that position, then I know that I don't have to do it again.

Just got a little bit stressed, got a little bit more passive on my game. Yeah, didn't go for it. I just didn't play offensive. I was a little bit defensive, especially in the big points. I couldn't find a way to break her after 5-All.

Yeah, I think it's human emotions, but I think I'll learn from it.

Q. You've said you made a rookie mistake. You've played some wonderful tennis. Could you spend some time telling us about all the things you've done well, how proud you are.

MARIA SAKKARI: Yeah, of course I'm proud of my run here. But it hurts. Today's loss hurts a lot because I was so close. I was just one point away. But what can you do? There are lots of positives and some negatives, as well.

I just have to embrace it and just move forward and see how am I going to do it the next time.

Q. A question about the match point you saved with a very long forehand, where the referee overruled. Your ball was called out by the Hawk-Eye. Are you for the Hawk-Eye on clay? It's a big debate in tennis. Do you think the mark policy is still relevant?

MARIA SAKKARI: Yeah, if it's accurate, then yes. We saw in Madrid that Hawk-Eye they had there was not accurate at all. I spoke with other players. They said the same.

If it's accurate, then yes. If it's not accurate, then there's no point.

Q. Can you talk about her game, what makes her a tricky opponent on this surface.

MARIA SAKKARI: I realized today that her ball -- I mean, funny enough, most of the players have pace, then you play with their pace. With her I feel like you have to generate pace. Conditions were heavier today, which was better for her I think.

I just felt like sometimes the ball would, like, stop and you would have to generate full pace on your own. That was a little bit tricky. That's why I think I was missing a lot of balls in the beginning.

But of course overall she has a very good baseline game. She has great volleys. Very good serve. I think she's just playing good right now. Of course, when players are playing good for that many matches, it's tough to beat them.

But I would have done things differently now. Yeah, it's too late (smiling).

Q. How valuable do you think the experience of playing this match will be for you in the future?

MARIA SAKKARI: I think I will be more prepared, as I mentioned before. When it was match point and I was serving for the match, I was thinking that I'm very close to make the final. I think I won't make that mistake again or I will find a way to trick my mind and not think that again.

Other than that, there is not much I can say right now because it's kind of tough for me to express how I'm feeling right now. Although it was a good run, I'm very, very sad that I couldn't make the final.

Q. You said you felt the pressure. Some of your best shots came when you were facing match points yourself. Can you talk us through your emotions when you know it's all on the line, facing match point, then you save it?

MARIA SAKKARI: I don't know. I just keep on playing and keep on trying to find a way to win the point. I never give up. I never felt like I gave up today. I just tried to find a way when I was match point down - match points actually.

I went for it. I went for it. I had to go for it a little bit more when I had to. But I didn't take my chances, for sure.