OMNIUM BANQUE NATIONALE

August 12, 2021

Ons Jabeur

Press Conference

O. JABEUR/B. Andreescu

6-7, 6-4, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Walk us through the match, how you felt your performance was today.

ONS JABEUR: Great match. It was a tough one. I know coming to play Bianca here in Montreal, in Canada, was going to be difficult. But I think I played good tennis. I had my opportunities in the first set. But I'm glad that I did good in the second and third set and I didn't let the rain, the injuries, stopping all the time, make me lose my focus.

I'm pretty happy with the way I stayed mentally and physically very ready.

Q. Can you talk a little bit about what was different for you in the third set.

ONS JABEUR: I think the fact that I didn't take my opportunities at the beginning, especially in the first set, it kind of changed a little bit. But coming back from I think the rain, I know I wasn't putting enough of her first serves in, so my returns, and I think I really worked on that and stayed solid.

The fact that I did that, I gained confidence. She doubted herself in the serve. I think that was the key because we saw the stats. I know I wasn't getting enough first serves in. It was pretty good strategy. I was ready, and I took more confidence. It was even better in the third set.

Q. When you say you saw the stats, are you talking about during the rain delay?

ONS JABEUR: Yes. I wanted to see what I was doing wrong because I know it was, like, very close, either the first set or the second set. My serve, first of all, I was trying to put more first serves in. Especially returning her first serve was the key there.

Q. How difficult was it for you to stay focused in the third set between the rain delays, medical timeouts?

ONS JABEUR: It's not easy. It's never easy to deal with this. I'm honestly proud of myself the way I stayed focused, the way I was really playing one point at a time.

I was kind of pissed sometime in the third set when it was raining, not raining. But I wanted to play tonight. I was praying to continue the game tonight, and it happened. I stayed focused.

The key was me focusing on each ball, not like putting my attention to injury or the rain.

Q. Did you notice any dropoff in her play after the medical timeout when she had her foot looked at?

ONS JABEUR: Not necessary. I wanted to move her to see, like, what kind of pain she was feeling. I was trying to make her move a lot to see if it's really affecting her.

I think she got tired a little bit. I can see that from the second set. It's completely normal. Honestly, I didn't focus a lot of what she was having. I was more focusing on myself, of what I should do.

Like I said, I really focused on returning better, serving better. It helped me a lot in the third set.

Q. What was it like for you to play in this atmosphere, playing a Canadian in Canada?

ONS JABEUR: It was a crazy battle between us on the court and the crowd. We kind of expected that. But, of course, there were more Canadians. But honestly I want to thank all the Tunisians that came here. I know even the deejay put some Tunisian music. I couldn't help but laugh in the middle, like, of the play. It was very nice to see the flags, to see everyone singing in Tunisian.

Honestly, it felt like home.

Q. Does that amp you up even more?

ONS JABEUR: Of course, the changes a lot. Since we didn't play, a mix of tournaments, some with crowds, some without a crowd, to see the atmosphere is back, to see that people is cheering for you, I think you appreciate it even more now since we didn't have it for a long time.

So I'm really glad that there is a lot of Tunisians. I'm glad that there is a crowd in total. I hope that the next tournaments will be the same.

Q. What stood out to you about the matchup with Bianca?

ONS JABEUR: Like I said, it was very tough playing against her, like, here in Canada. It's not the same than somewhere else. We know that she can play really good even though she didn't play a lot of matches. But Bianca is Bianca, she's a top-10 player. She's very good. She's a fighter on the court. She really gave it all until the end.

Q. With all the delays in the match, how does that impact your post-match routine? Does it worry you this match went longer than planned?

ONS JABEUR: I'm kind of a person that adapts well to things. I'm not a person that has a lot of routines. That's why I always try to really adapt whatever the situation is.

Today I played at 7. Yesterday was the second match. Tomorrow is also going to be different. I'm trying to get a different routine every day that helps me adapt.

With today's match, with the rain and everything, I always try to be ready to step on the court whenever they call me or whenever we are ready to play.

Q. What would you say your weapon was in winning this match?

ONS JABEUR: I got to choose a lot of things.

First of all I was pretty solid with my backhand. It was much better than yesterday. I made a difference with my forehand. I stepped in and I put pressure on her.

At the end of the match it was me stepping in and putting as much returns that I can on her first serve. I know it was missing from the first set, first set and a half. Being solid on the court, I think you can see that I gained more and more confidence until the end of the match.

I loved the way that I stayed calm, that I didn't let anyone affect me, either the rain or the medical timeouts, or sometimes one of the people talk during the first serve or second serve. I'm very happy with the way I'm evolving mentally and physically.

Q. Based off of the two performances you had, over Dasha and then today, seems like you're seeing the court and ball incredibly well. What is clicking in these matches?

ONS JABEUR: I think I'm getting used to the center court, I got to say, because the other courts are differ than the center court. I'm getting more and more confidence. I know better the strategy. I feel like I am even gaining more experience every match. I know it may sound crazy, but I am.

I'm just enjoying being here. Let's say the Olympics wasn't very good. Now like I feel I'm back in the tennis world where kind of I belong. In my mind I want to really qualify for the WTA Finals. That's something that's really on my mind, even during the matches. I'm doing my best.

I'm trying to have fun also. I'm giving it all. Glad that the ranking is moving, as well. So, yeah, everything in one.

Q. On facing either Collins or Pegula...

ONS JABEUR: They both playing really good. Collins lately is winning a lot of matches. I think she's very confident. She's such a fighter. She doesn't give up any point.

Pegula also is playing really well. I saw her playing. Honestly she's someone very nice. I like to have her on tour. Whatever, I hope they play long enough also (smiling). But I think they have kind of similar game little bit. I'm glad to play either of them.

Q. You had a nice moment at the net with Bianca. What words were exchanged?

ONS JABEUR: She said congratulations, that I played really well, and I better win the tournament.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. How would you describe the atmosphere on center court tonight?

ONS JABEUR: It was incredible. The crowd was fabulous. The Tunisians and the Canadians both were great. I really love to play on courts like this with such an atmosphere.

Last time was against Halep in Dubai. Here I am living again those great moments. We have been playing without a crowd for a while, so I really appreciate this kind of atmosphere, especially with all the Tunisians.