THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 3, 2021

Barbora Krejcikova

Press Conference

B. KREJCIKOVA/A. Sevastova

7-6, 3-6, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Congratulations on making the second week. Can you talk through the match, first of all, against Nastya? What was the key to get the tough win?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: I mean, it was really tough today. I was really just, like, battling with myself a lot, because I wasn't really feeling well.

I really don't know what was actually -- I really don't remember much what was happening. I was just there. I was just try to fight for every ball, and, you know, it was really up and down.

You know, just at the end, you know, when she missed the last ball, I mean, I was just extremely happy that it's over (smiling). I was really happy it's over.

Q. Is your reaction to making your first round of 16 at Wimbledon, in your main-draw debut, is your reaction relief? Pride? Excitement? How do you explain how you feel about it?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: You know, actually I didn't feel any stress so far, but I think, you know, it's just getting closer, you know, and more deeper, like in the tournament I'm gonna get nervous, for sure.

But, you know, just so far, you know, I just feel, you know, just very happy, really proud of myself. Also really grateful for things that are happening here. You know, I just try to, you know, just really enjoy everything that is happening here, because it's my debut in singles and a lot of things that, you know, never really expected that it's gonna happen are actually happening.

I'm just really, a lot of times really excited.

Q. What are your thoughts on if you're playing Ash Barty, what sort of challenge she poses and what sort of opportunity it is for you to take on the No. 1 seed here in your first second week at Wimbledon?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: You know, all of this, you know, the way that I fought today, you know, all of this is just extremely good achievement so far. It's perfect result as my debut. Being second week, you know, I didn't expect it. So I didn't expect anything of this that is happening.

You know, just playing Ash, I know her for long time. I remember when she was 15, winning juniors here. I played, as well. I know her for so long. You know, I actually like to watch her, because she gives me a lot of, you know, motivation and inspiration to just work hard.

You know, I know that, you know, she was sometime she wasn't actually playing, she was off for a little bit, she had some problems, but then she came back. You know, I mean, we can see that she deserves to be here and she deserves to be No. 1, because she is just very talented and she works hard. You know, she just deserves everything that she's achieving.

You know, for me, playing her or actually playing my doubles partner, I mean, both are going to be difficult, and I'm just going to enjoy. That's why I'm here. That's what I want to do, and that's how I want to approach everything. Just really enjoy it, because, you know, this is, you know, all of this that is happening, like I'm just always telling myself, Okay, is it really -- am I awake? Like, Is this really happening?

I can see I'm waking up every single morning, so it's actually happening. I'm just really grateful.

Q. I would think that one month ago if you were to find out that you would make the round of 16 at Wimbledon, I think your reaction would be a lot different than it might be as it is right now. I mean, but now obviously you're a Grand Slam champion, right? Are you surprised by how much winning Roland Garros changes how your mind works?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: I'm surprised, yeah. I'm very much surprised. But, you know, I don't even think that I'm thinking a little bit differently. It just, you know, all that happened actually in Paris and I had some matches where I was -- you know, I was down a lot, and I was still able to find a way.

You know, with every single match like this, I actually feel that even if I tell myself, I'm tired and I cannot do this anymore, or my legs are shaking or I'm not feeling well, I can still fight and I can still win. So this is something that, you know, for sure before Paris I didn't know that I actually have this.

So I think fighting spirit, it's something that for sure change in Paris. I really want to build up on it. I really want to improve this.