US OPEN

August 30, 2021

Carla Suarez Navarro

Press Conference

D. COLLINS/C. Suarez Navarro

6-2, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Can you just give us your thoughts on today and the match, how you played and your thoughts about the day.

CARLA SUAREZ NAVARRO: Well, it was a difficult one, for sure. Obviously she played really good.

Well, I tried to do my best. I have some physical problems these days before, but I was able to play today. Like I said, I tried to do my best, but I think she played a really good match and was so difficult to beat her today.

Q. Talk about your emotions when you said this would be your final Grand Slam tournament. I know you're playing doubles, but talk about your emotions before, during, after it.

CARLA SUAREZ NAVARRO: Well, I just tried to do like normal, no? I always try to enjoy it, not only this one, just the tournaments before. I really enjoy, I mean, with my team, with the other players, every time I go practice. I try to enjoy, because I know I'm not coming back again anymore.

Well, obviously I know that today it's gonna be the possibility of my last match, but I really enjoy. I mean, I just try to live like normal.

Well, I'm happy, you know. I lost, but this year for me was a gift, you know. Last year on these dates, I don't know if I can be here one more time or not, and I'm here. I'm happy for that.

Q. Do you know your schedule? Are you playing more tournaments after this?

CARLA SUAREZ NAVARRO: No, no, no, this is the last time, this is the last tournament.

I know the Fed Cup, well, the Billie Jean, is still there in November. I have to talk with my captain. I don't know if she's gonna call me. If she's call me, I think I will be ready, but for sure this was my last tournament as a singles player.

Q. Congratulations. I guess, you know, first of all, you mentioned 12 months ago maybe you never thought this was going to come about. Could you talk about that a little bit, about what you were doing this time last year, what was going on in your mind, and if you can reflect a little bit on what your farewell tour from seeing players in Madrid all the way up until this day, what it has meant to you and what it's been like.

CARLA SUAREZ NAVARRO: Yeah, well, last year on this day I was in the hospital. You know, the doctors tell me that I have cancer, so I need six months of chemotherapy.

Well, I never think that -- I think, you know, the possibility was there that maybe I cannot play tennis anymore, or maybe, yeah. So everything was so good from the first moment, everything was really good. I was able to practice a little bit in December, and I start thinking in December that maybe I can come back. Maybe I can play a few more tournaments.

Then I was in Madrid, you know, was so special because I was out in the tour for six months or more, and was so special, you know. I received a lot of love from the other players, and what I said before, all this year for me was a big gift. I really enjoy every day, every tournament. I was able to choose which tournaments I want to play again for the last time. Well, I think, I don't know what to say, but I really did everything I want in the way I want. I really enjoy all these years, even more this last year.

Well, I mean, I'm happy with the person and the player I have been during all these years.

Q. You have obviously had some good matches here at the US Open in the past. I'm curious, what are some of your favorite memories of this tournament?

CARLA SUAREZ NAVARRO: Well, if I have to say one, one match, I say the one I played in 2018 against Sharapova on center court in the night session was so special. The atmosphere was amazing. I mean, I really enjoy that match. I really played really good. If I have to choose one of this tournament, that year I think I play really good matches.

Q. What are you most proud of in your career? French Open quarterfinals, all the way through now. What are you most proud of and what do you hope to be remembered for?

CARLA SUAREZ NAVARRO: Well, I have dream when I was young, and it was to be top-10 player in the world. I think this is so difficult. Well, of course I have more dreams, but I never get it. You know, I never won a Grand Slam. I never was No. 1 in the world, but this is so difficult. I know we see a lot of players winning Grand Slam, but is not the normal thing in a tennis player.

But I don't know. The way I was during the tournaments, if I have to say one thing, maybe to be remembered, maybe I know that my backhand is different, is special (smiling).

But every day I was so natural, tried to enjoy it with the people, tried to be, I don't know how to say, kind, I don't know. Just, yeah, be natural. This is one of the proud things for me.

Q. Looking ahead, what does the future hold for Carla? Are you going to be in the coach's box, Fed Cup captain, surfing in the Canary Islands?

CARLA SUAREZ NAVARRO: Well, for the moment, I want to relax for a little bit, go home with my family, friends. Relax a little bit.

No, for the moment, I don't want to be, I don't want to stay close to something of tennis, any ball, any racquet. But not for the moment. Not in a short period. But for sure I'm going to watch some matches. I'm fan of a lot of players.

But relax, you know. I was here for, I don't know how many years, and sometimes is so stressful, you know. My English is not really good. Every time you have to talk in English -- just relax and everything (smiling).

Now I can talk to you but in Spanish. Much better for me (smiling).