VIKING INTERNATIONAL

June 23, 2021

Anett Kontaveit

Devonshire Park

Press Conference

A. KONTAVEIT/B. Andreescu

6-3, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Well done today. Just talk us through the match and really what made the difference for you to get it done in two sets today.

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Yeah, I thought I played a really good match today. I was consistent throughout the whole match and felt like I really kept my level up and played some good tennis.

Q. You were playing a very aggressive game style today. Was that part of your game plan for Bianca today?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Yeah, I think I generally try to play quite aggressive. I mean, I think it's the game plan most of the times I go out there. Yeah, I managed to do that really well today and successfully.

Q. It was a very back-and-forth in both sets, like there was a lot of breaks going back and forth. How were you able to stay resilient, keep bouncing back, keep going forward?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Yeah, I think I'm a pretty good returner. I think definitely, I mean, she is as well. It's sometimes difficult when the other person is so consistent hitting deep returns off your serve.

Yeah, I just tried to stay with it. I mean, especially in the second set I was up 6-3, 4-1, but it means nothing. She never gives up. She's come back -- I have seen so many matches where she's come back from scores like that. I really had to, you know, keep playing and be ready for it.

Q. What do you think of her game on grass? Would you say maybe it's a good style the way she plays, very aggressive? How would you rate her game on grass?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Bianca's?

Q. Yes.

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Oh, I mean, it's not my place to rate her game on grass. I mean, I think I just have to focus on what I'm doing and think less about that.

Q. I was wondering if you could just talk a little bit about your journey on grass. Do you remember what your first thoughts were when you first played on the surface? What have been the keys to evolving your game to be comfortable on it?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Yeah, I think I have always had like an aggressive style of playing, so I remember playing first time in the juniors on grass, and I really liked it. I think I got to semis of Junior Wimbledon. I was really enjoying myself.

I also won my one and only WTA title on grass in 's-Hertogenbosch. Yeah, I have always really liked playing on it. I think it suits my game.

Q. In terms of getting accustomed to it, getting used to it, because normally the grass season is five weeks long with the three weeks before Wimbledon, obviously this year it's just two, what do you think is the toughest challenge with only having two weeks between clay and grass, clay and Wimbledon?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Well, I think it's always, it takes a little bit of time to get used to a surface and everything, but, you know, I feel like I adjust quite quickly.

Yeah, I had a good few weeks training at home. I think it's just a lot to do with confidence and how you're feeling on court. I'm feeling pretty good after these two matches right now.

Q. Speaking of the grass, Wimbledon is spoken about kind of in hushed terms, it's very much revered as a tournament, a lot of people consider it "the" tournament in the sport, but the grass season is so short. You guys don't play on it very often. It's a bit of a novelty in the grand scheme of things. How do you reconcile those two ideas, which is, yes, this surface has Wimbledon, and at the same time it's a surface you don't play on very often? How much focus can you put on it?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Well, yeah, it definitely is a very special surface. Like you said, we don't get to play on it a lot. It does feel special, because like you said, it maybe feels more special because we don't get to play on it as much.

You know, there is often people who just come up from the grass tournaments who do really well there. It definitely is a special surface, and you have to really know the grass and, like, play with it to sort of do well.

I think it's a tricky surface, but, I mean, Wimbledon is a very special tournament and has traditions. You feel very lucky to be there and very grateful.