US OPEN

September 4, 2021

Karolina Pliskova

Press Conference

Ka. PLISKOVA/A. Tomljanovic

6-3, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: If you could give us your thoughts on the match and on your first week.

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: I mean, obviously I was feeling much better than the match which I played before, so it gave me some confidence to come into this match. Also the head-to-head was quite -- I mean, I think I never lost to her. I was just feeling confident coming to this match. Of course, I was serving pretty well, even better than the match before. So that kind of helped me a bit.

Even the game from the baseline, I thought it was pretty solid today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Your experience not having Sascha with you this week, what has it been like? A different type of experience?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: You know, to be honest I was a bit worried about it because it's not only that -- I mean, he was everywhere with me so far this year till Montreal, but also the service which he does around me, he really does everything. I just have to come to the court and just play, that's it (smiling).

Also like part of the thing which he's doing for me and why I think -- all the players which he had were actually always feeling great. But I thought it kind of helped me that I won the first couple matches in Cincinnati where he was not. I think maybe if I lose the first match, I would be thinking much more that I can't maybe like win without him. Also I'm the type of player, I was never -- I never rely that much on the coach. I know I can play by myself. But, of course, they are there to help. He helped me a lot just to feel this way, which I feel right now.

Because we didn't have really good beginning of the year, somehow we find the way how to feel better on court. I think that's thanks to him, of course. But, of course, I would love to have him here. Also I have great team. My husband is here, big support. So that's important.

Q. Can you comment on what the differences are in your relationship with Michal and your physio? Are you contacting with Sascha quite a bit on video?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: So, I mean, Michal is here. Physio, his name is Haim. Leos, he's helping me. I like him, I think he's doing really good job. I think he understood the role, I have a coach back home, they're in contact. He doesn't give me too many informations. He just say exactly what I need to hear, a bit about the player, a bit about myself. He's there to warm me up, hit with me if I need. I think he's doing a great job. He's pretty much relaxed, which also help me to be more relaxed.

Of course, we speak to Sascha pretty much every day. Michal I think a lot. Then me of course, like I can't really speak one hour every day. Every day we message. Yeah, we are in contact a lot.