ROLAND GARROS

June 10, 2021

Tamara Zidansek

Press Conference

A. PAVLYUCHENKOVA/T. Zidansek

7-5, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You've played well at Roland Garros over the last two weeks. What have you learnt most about yourself?

TAMARA ZIDANSEK: Thank you. Well, I've learned that I can play good against top players and that I can play good at tournaments like this. I'm just going to try to take it all in and prepare for the next tournaments.

Q. Can you just talk about the match today. What do you think was the difference? How did you feel out there? In the end it looked like there might be an opportunity for a comeback in the second set. What do you think was different at the end of each set?

TAMARA ZIDANSEK: Well, yeah, it was a good match. A new situation for me, semifinals of a Grand Slam. So, yeah, I was nervous. But who isn't at this point? I was just trying to compose my nerves as well as I could.

I did have my chances also in the first set. It was 5-All, 15-40 on her serve. I didn't take my chances as well today as I did previous days, but I did fight till the end. I mean, I'm happy with the way I stood on the court today still.

Q. How would you say that having made it this far at a Grand Slam tournament might affect your sense of self on the court, your sense of confidence moving forward the next time you're at a Grand Slam tournament or any tournament? Connected to that, do you think having your ranking, which will take a big jump now into the top 50 for the first time, that higher number next to your name, will that give you more confidence moving forward?

TAMARA ZIDANSEK: Well, we started ITF tournaments lower ranked, 15Ks, 25Ks. I think we all dream of making it big at Grand Slams. Once you play your first Grand Slam, first round, I mean, I remember, I played juniors Grand Slam first round and I was like completely overwhelmed. It took me a few years to kind of get used to the big tournaments.

The fact that I managed to play this well, got this far, just shows me that I can play at the big stage. I'm really happy with that, so I'm going to try to take that and, yeah, just build from this, like try to even work more. I'm looking forward to the next tournaments.

Q. I know it's very hard for many players, especially outside the top 50, to be stable financially, even more in this pandemic time. How much does this run in Roland Garros can be important for you in terms of planning your calendar, playing bigger tournaments?

TAMARA ZIDANSEK: Yeah, I mean, I'm really happy. I mean, I don't play for the money, but obviously it's nice. Yeah, I mean, it's easier. You have to invest in yourself to get something out of it.

Getting this far at a Grand Slam, yeah, it's big money. Like it gives me more opportunities to maybe expand my team and bringing a physio or something.

Q. As you mentioned, it's a new experience almost every single match that you played here. You're studying psychology. You have a psychologist. Your coach was in here talking about that aspect of things. What are the things that you feel like you take away or learn on that side of things going forward, whether dealing with pressure, new situations?

TAMARA ZIDANSEK: That's a good question.

I've learned that sometimes when I was younger, I was always looking at big players, Wow, they're hitting so good. Maybe I want to have a shot like that or something.

But I think I showed myself and I've learned that at this stage it really is, I'm going to say, 90% a mental game, just about going out there and believing in yourself, believing in your game. At the end being able to go out there and show your best game.

Q. It looks like the WTA Tour is very competitive. Lots of players can have success when they go on a winning run. What do you think you need to do now to build on the success you've had here at Roland Garros?

TAMARA ZIDANSEK: Well, obviously each match you can take something from it. I'm going to try to take something from today's match and take this as an experience, a big experience. Obviously, you know, getting this far kind of gives you the motivation to practice a little bit more.

I mean, we all do it. We practice four or five hours per day or even more. But right now it's good to see that I'm doing something right. I mean, I'm just looking forward to the next step because I'm feeling really good now. I'm going to take a few days off, then just try to come back even better.

Q. You talk about your tournaments going forward. What are your plans to transition onto grass, to head to Wimbledon so quickly. You lost some time by doing so well here.

TAMARA ZIDANSEK: I'm not going to complain about that (smiling).

I mean, I said, I remember, when I played fourth round that day or the day after, I said, Wow, I'm really looking forward to the grass because we didn't get a chance to play last year. I kind of like it. It's a specific kind of surface. It's fun to play on it.

I mean, I'll play Wimbledon, then I'm back to clay courts. Now that I'm in the top 50, plans have changed. I can get into the big Master tournaments, the U.S. swing. We have to talk about future plans about going to the States. I don't know for sure yet.

Q. Your team seems like a lot of fun. Your coach was saying, We're not turtles, we don't live for 200 years, it's time to party. How do you and your team plan to celebrate an outstanding week?

TAMARA ZIDANSEK: Well, my coach said, Marjan said that he is going to do a party at his house. He has a big house. So, yeah, that's how we're going to celebrate.