ROLAND GARROS

May 31, 2021

Sofia Kenin

Press Conference

S. KENIN/J. Ostapenko

6-4, 4-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Sofia, after your run last year, how does it feel coming through that?

SOFIA KENIN: Yeah, I'm really happy with the way I played. I fought out there. She's such a tough player to play. I know her game quite well since I practiced with her during quarantine in Australia. I kind of knew what to expect from her.

She's a tough player, a great player. I had to really play some really good tennis and really fight out there if I wanted to win.

Q. You've had a bit of a tricky clay campaign. Do you feel this kind of win can launch you into another deep run here, boost you?

SOFIA KENIN: I mean, I'm taking it one match at a time. I'm not looking into what's going to happen later. For me it was baby steps to get through round one, since obviously it's never easy getting through to the first round during a Grand Slam.

Yeah, I'll take one match at a time. That's what I did last year and in Australia. I'll just keep it like that.

Q. In your coaching situation, what is the progress there? Generally, what do you want in a coach?

SOFIA KENIN: I mean, honestly right now nothing is set at motion. Right now I've got my agents. I've got my fitness coach with me. In terms of coaching, we're obviously in discussion and everything. Nothing is set.

I will decide when I'm ready to have a coach and everything. As of right now, my agents and my fitness coach.

Q. What are you looking for in a coach, different aspects of what your dad was bringing to your game?

SOFIA KENIN: I mean, obviously the person should know what he's talking about. I don't know. I guess positivity. I mean, easygoing. Regular stuff. What any other player would be looking in a coach, so...

Q. In terms of all the talk of expectations, deep runs. Dominic Thiem the other day was saying after winning a first slam it's hard to reboot. Is that something you could relate to?

SOFIA KENIN: Yeah, obviously I can. This year hasn't been the best in terms of defending my title in Australia. Of course, surgery and everything else. Obviously I can relate to that.

We're humans. Just because we won a slam doesn't mean we can't have our downs for a little bit, for a little period of time. We can always go back up.

It's tennis. It is what it is. That's the sport. You win and you lose. You have good moments and bad moments. You just have to find a way to push through.

Q. Naomi Osaka has issued a statement. Has that been discussed?

SOFIA KENIN: I found out right after the match, to be honest. I mean, I respect her decision. I respect what she does. I can't really comment on that. I feel like everyone's dealing with their own stuff. Like I said, I can't really add much to that as I just found out right before coming to press. My phone is blowing up. I don't have time to look at what everyone is doing.

Q. Reflect on the pressures young players feel, having such great triumphs, then rebounding and setbacks. How is it to deal with all that?

SOFIA KENIN: I mean, it's definitely not easy. I mean, this is what you signed up for. This is sport. There's expectations from the outside, sponsors, and everyone. You just have to somehow manage it. You have to have a good team around you who support you. You know they're with you. Anything you say is to them, and that's it. They'll always support you and have your back.

Q. Your thoughts on second round against Hailey Baptiste?

SOFIA KENIN: No, I have no idea how she plays. I've never watched her. It will be an interesting match.

As of now and today, I'll just kind of switch off. I can't really think about tennis 24/7. You need to have some kind of break, some mini celebration. I feel like for me, this does a lot for my confidence. Tomorrow closer to the match and the day, I obviously will figure out a plan.

Q. What is it like being at a slam without a coach?

SOFIA KENIN: I mean, like I said, I have my agents, my fitness coach. They support me. I'm happy. I'm very comfortable, grateful to them for their support, everything that we've been through. I'm really happy. I'm not rushing into looking for a coach as of now, as of this moment.