ROLAND GARROS

June 1, 2021

Ons Jabeur

Press Conference

O. JABEUR/Y. Putintseva

7-5, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. It was a pretty topsy-turvy first set. How did you sort it all out?

ONS JABEUR: Yeah, I know she's a tough player. She plays really well, and she fights. She tries to hit a lot of dropshots at the beginning, surprisingly, but I knew she was going to do that. I was counting a lot on my serve but it wasn't there the beginning of the set.

It's a tough first round, a lot of stress obviously, but I'm glad that I got to break her at the right time when she was serving for the set and that I got the break at 6-5.

Q. I wanted to ask you in particular about the dropshots. I know you love the dropshot and I know you're very good at it. Compared to last year when the conditions were very different, is the dropshot going to be as effective in the warmer conditions this year, do you think?

ONS JABEUR: I've got to say, like, the dropshots on clay, they are always good. Like it's always better than hard court. But obviously last year when it was heavy, the balls were heavier, and the weather was different, it was much better to do a dropshot.

But, I mean, I don't have to rely on dropshots all the time. I know it's amazing to win the point like this. I didn't think I did much today. I know I did a lot when it was not supposed for me to do it, but it saved me a couple of times. I'm trying to get more aggressive on clay and hopefully the next game will be much better.

Q. Were you feeling okay? It was pretty hot out there.

ONS JABEUR: Yeah, a little bit hot. Not that hot, but, yeah, just I needed some medicine for my stomach, but hopefully everything will be good.

Q. You just mentioned about the next match, and the next match is against an Australian, Astra Sharma who got a wildcard. What do you know about her, and what are your thoughts going into that match?

ONS JABEUR: Oh, I know a lot about her. I played her like lately in Charleston. Definitely going for my revenge.

She's a big server. I know she has a better forehand, so I'm just going to try to focus on myself this time. Definitely going for my revenge.

I'm going to try to play good. No stress. To be honest, I'm just not trying to do the same mistake that I did last times. But, I mean, trying to relax for now, enjoy the day and a half, and see, enjoy, like, a little bit of Paris and see what's going on.

Q. Do you use statistics much? Do you go back and look at videos? Do you look at, go back at matches and look at what in particular you're doing with the help of all the stats that are available?

ONS JABEUR: Not as much as my coach, but, yeah, we do work with the statistics a lot. We actually have someone helping us. I just want to thank him. Hi, Shane, for all the work he's doing.

Of course like nowadays statistics are very important. I don't think there is not a single player who doesn't work with that, and obviously it will help us a lot. Sometimes some things we don't see, and statistics show otherwise, so we are glad to say we work with that. Yeah.

Q. A couple of general questions about clay. What do you like most about the surface, and what do you like least about the surface?

ONS JABEUR: Well, I love the sliding on clay, obviously. I love that I have more time to build my game and to go around, like, play more the forehand.

I mean, it's a surface that I had a lot of success, especially in juniors. So I'm trying to take that experience and try to go better on the professional side.

Yeah, I'm just trying to honestly take my time and play my game, which the clay allows me to do that.

Q. Is there an aspect that you find most challenging about clay that you have to adapt to?

ONS JABEUR: I mean, physically it's tougher to play on clay, but most of all I try to always adapt, honestly, in my game. Clay is not kind of putting a lot of, like, hard things on me. I'm trying to enjoy it as much as I can.