ROLAND GARROS

June 4, 2021

Sorana Cirstea

Press Conference

S. CIRSTEA/D. Kasatkina

6-3, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. That was a very clean match from you, looked like. Wondering how you felt about your play overall?

SORANA CIRSTEA: I think I played great. Was one of the best matches I have played probably the last couple of tournaments. I played very solid from the beginning to the end, very aggressive.

I think the score is not fair, because the battle was way harder and I feel Daria was playing really well. But I really came out strong, aggressive, trying to play on my terms. I think that made the difference.

But it was a very, very good match. There were very few errors. Most of the points were on winners from both sides, and I think the score is not fair because it was way tougher battle than it showed.

Q. You had a big fall in the first set. I'm curious how you're feeling from that. Just what happened there?

SORANA CIRSTEA: Yes, I'm not sure. I think there was a little hole in the court or something on that side. The court was a little slippery and a little bit bumpy.

Yeah, definitely was a scare. But once I stood up and I saw everything was fine, just I felt the tape got loose during the fall, so I wanted to make sure that I get back strong again.

But for a moment, yes, it was a little scare because I just had a similar fall in Madrid. But once I stood up, I was, like, Okay, this is not Madrid. This is fine, thanks God. We are good.

Q. You have had such a great season on clay. What has been the key? How does it feel racking up all these wins in the last few months?

SORANA CIRSTEA: Yeah, it's funny because going into clay I was not very happy. I felt I was playing quite good towards the end of the hard court season.

So I was, like, Now when I'm getting the rhythm on hard court we have to switch on clay? But it's been good. You know, like I haven't changed much. I went through the same mindset like on the hard court, and I think it took me a little bit by surprise this clay court season, because I did not expect to come out so strong, first tournament winning Istanbul. Then second tournament, okay, I will not count Madrid because I got injured there, but second tournament final, and here playing quite well.

I'm definitely enjoying it. I mean, still, I would not say clay is my favorite surface, but I'm definitely enjoying it.

Q. You had good results on clay before. 12 years ago you made the second week also at the French Open. What does that mean to you to be back in this second week of this tournament again after so long?

SORANA CIRSTEA: Yes, it's funny, because I have a different mindset. I think in tennis you do have to have a different mindset and having a short memory. Because if you think too much in the past or too much in the future, you know, you will get frustrated. If you ask me 12 years ago if I would still be playing today, I would definitely say no.

But you never know. I just go with the flow. I'm healthy, I'm enjoying myself, I think I'm playing at a very good level, probably one of the best I have been. I'm very mature.

I'm taking it day by day, you know, like I'm not going too far ahead with my mind. I'm actually enjoying all this process. Definitely I'm enjoying much more than I did 12 years ago, and I think this comes with maturity.

Q. What has made you make your career so much longer than you expected? Is it easier to have a long career when you see people like Federer or Serena who are still playing and they are 39 years old?

SORANA CIRSTEA: Yeah. I think my style of play, it's quite aggressive. I don't spend that much longer on court. I mean, probably I have played two matches in my life above three hours. So I think this style helped my body, you know. I don't feel that I'm very tired or run down.

And then I think I have also been quite lucky with not getting big injuries. Of course I had my injuries during time, I have had my injuries, but nothing major.

So I think now I'm very mature, doing all the right things. Like I said, you know, I don't count the age on the passport. For me, I feel much younger. Actually, body-wise, mental-wise, I feel I'm 20-and-something. I don't think too much about this. It's just a number and doesn't matter. I put more energy into how I feel and to enjoy.

Q. This part of the draw has kind of opened up a bit, because a lot of the seeds went out early. You play tomorrow Zidansek next.

SORANA CIRSTEA: I hope not tomorrow, right?

Q. No, two days. Sorry.

SORANA CIRSTEA: Thank you (smiling).

Q. What do you make of that matchup? And also knowing you were in the section that Osaka was in, she's pulled out, there has been a few things to make this opportunity for someone outside of top 20 is going to be in the semifinals, already we know that. What do you think of that?

SORANA CIRSTEA: I think you will laugh, a lot of people do not believe this out of the tennis, but I don't look further than the next round, so I do not know the draw further than the next round.

I do know I'm on the bottom half. I can see the players that are playing the same day with me, but other than that, I never look further than the next round.

So for people outside of the tennis, it's very hard to believe this, you know. But I think for me this is the key, you know, that I just take it one match at a time. I don't think about, Okay, what round is it?

I have learned this through time, you know. I didn't manage to do this when I was 19, but I'm managing to do this now, so I think that's a learning process, everything in life.

For me, all my energy it's on the next round. Like I said, I do not know the draw after, so I only put my energy into next match, because I always say if you can cannot win the next match, then it's useless to think what could have been after. So just next round for me.

Q. On the next round, Zidansek, what do you make of her as an opponent? This is her first time in the second week of a Grand Slam. Do you think having experience in this stage, even though it was a while ago for you, can make a difference and help you in this match?

SORANA CIRSTEA: Yes, definitely. I think experience will always help me. I think the fact that I have had already quite a few matches on clay are helping me as well.

But I think if she's in the second week it means she's playing well. You know, I mean, from here on, you expect tough matches no matter what. Even if they are seeded or they are not seeded, it means they are doing something right. They are feeling the ball, they are in good shape.

So, you know, I'm expecting a tough match, but also, I feel quite confident in my game and in what I have to do, and, you know, I will go out there and we will see who's the best that day.

Q. I'm sorry for what might seem like a very open-ended question, but at this point for you, obviously you had these years on tour, your ups and downs, and starting to get great results, especially at the slams, the biggest events, I'm curious how do you contextualize your career? How would you, if you were talking to a young Romanian player and they were asking, like, what was it like for you on tour and what was the hallmark of your career, what would you say to them?

SORANA CIRSTEA: I think probably the first advice or the first lesson, I would say, everyone has their own rhythm and their own path. You can't compare yourself with anyone.

At the beginning of my career, I had this a lot, people comparing me to other people my age or comparing me to different players, you know.

So now, looking back, I feel that's absolutely useless, you know, comparing yourself with other people, because everyone has their own path and their own timing and their own route in life, their own way.

Also what might work for you might not work for someone else, so you have to find the things that work for yourself. And also, do not look left and right but look left and right for lessons, for positive things. Do not look left and right to compare.

I think it took me a long time to understand this and not get frustrated, you know, because there were people my age or younger doing better. You know, it plays a little bit with your head, you know.

But I think the moment when I realize that I'm playing for myself, I have my own career, I have my own path, my own life, you know, things started to change and I found the joy of playing. I found the freedom of playing. I found the joy again in traveling, being in a hotel, in the small things, you know.

For me, this is the biggest thing. Do not compare yourself with anyone else's career.