BNP PARIBAS OPEN

October 16, 2021

Su-Wei Hsieh

Elise Mertens

Press Conference

HSIEH-MERTENS/Kudermetova-Rybakina

7-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Can you tell us about your match today?

ELISE MERTENS: It was a really tight first set. I think it could go either way, but I think at the super-tiebreak we played more solid than them.

But, yeah, they put their first serve in and it was definitely difficult to get the advantage. You know, as we tried to play aggressive, Su-Wei at the net, me from the back so she can cross, but I think, yeah, it all clicked a little bit better in the second set.

So we are really, really happy with the win and qualified for the Finals, so very happy for that too.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Congrats on the title. You had a pretty tough draw throughout the two weeks. You played some very, very tough teams but only lost one set over it to Bethanie and Iga. Can you talk a little bit about what the secret was for this week, and specifically the match with Bethanie and Iga, what was the key to turning that match around? Looked like you were on your way out right then and there.

SU-WEI HSIEH: Yeah, on that match, the second set around 4-1, Elise told me, Su-Wei, when you return, step back one step, and then since I step back I put all my rhythm inside the court. So I think that's the key. After that game, I say, Great job, Coach. (Laughter.)

ELISE MERTENS: But it was in a friendly way that I said it.

SU-WEI HSIEH: Yeah, Go back. No, it was very solid, very nice.

ELISE MERTENS: Yeah, I think it was a lot of wind that day, and it was very difficult, and they managed it better until 4-1. We just tried to stay positive, tried to get back in the game. Because at 40-All, anything can happy on a serve-and-return game, and it was a lot of deuce.

Yeah, we just stayed positive. I think that was the key, teamwork. I think we learned a lot from that match, and we definitely had a tough draw, that's for sure. We normally don't really look at the draw, and then we saw it, and, Oh, okay.

But the tougher the matches, the greater the win. Eventually it prepared us for today.

Q. You both have obviously won this title with other partners. Did it give you any extra motivation that you have won it with other partners to now come together and win it together? Was there extra motivation for this tournament?

SU-WEI HSIEH: It's really fun to play with different partner and normally when you play singles you don't know them too well. I mean, I collect a lot of friends, like (indiscernible), Barbora, Elise, and many girls. It was really fun to play doubles. I mean, it was a different partner, you have different game and different routine.

So thank you.

ELISE MERTENS: Yeah, just to know each other more. When you only play singles, you don't really bond because it's different. But as we spent some time together on and off court we got to know each other very well.

Q. What's it like to win a title with the dragon?

ELISE MERTENS: Amazing. I mean, she's so creative, and was it before the quarterfinals? I came outside and she was jumping around. What is this? With the dragon hat on. I have to laugh so hard.

But before quarterfinals, it kind of gives you, yeah, a lot to relax about (laughter).

Q. Congratulations on an amazing achievement. Going back to Elise being a coach, an important aspect of any athlete that does well is you have to be coachable. So within the team, how would you rate her as being someone who is truly coachable and how she handles that feedback?

SU-WEI HSIEH: I do what my partner say, everything.

Q. So was the hat her idea then?

ELISE MERTENS: No, no, it's her idea for the hat. But it makes it fun. (Laughter.)

I mean, we try to discuss a lot of things. We are on the bench when there is changeovers, we just try to focus and repeat what we do well but also what we can do better.

I think we are both coachable, understand each other, what makes us a good team.

Q. How did the proposal go in detail? Where did it happen, about this partnership?

ELISE MERTENS: It's been a while. I think you just texted me. I mean, it's as easy as that.

Q. No flowers involved then?

ELISE MERTENS: No flowers.

SU-WEI HSIEH: No ring, sorry.

Q. Su-Wei, do you know who Charlize Theron is, the actress?

ELISE MERTENS: Do you know who she is?

SU-WEI HSIEH: If you show me picture, maybe I have more idea.

Q. Fair enough. That's all right. She was in the stands watching you guys.

ELISE MERTENS: I don't know a lot of famous people. (Laughter.)

SU-WEI HSIEH: If you say in Chinese, I think I will know who is it. Sometimes it sounds different in Chinese.

Q. I don't know her Chinese name, sorry. I was just curious. It's all good.

ELISE MERTENS: We will see a picture after the match. We will recognize her definitely.

Q. Not to break up a beautiful duo, but you mentioned playing with different partners. For each one of you, is there somebody else that might be on your wish list as a partner? Again, don't take any offense to each other on this, but it is fun to play with other people too.

SU-WEI HSIEH: I will put other girl in my list I haven't played with. So please come and e-mail me.

Q. And Elise?

SU-WEI HSIEH: Ready.

ELISE MERTENS: A mix I think of some players. Some can hit hard. Some are better at the net, so for me it's difficult to say. Everybody has their quality.

Q. What about mixed doubles? Would you guys consider that?

ELISE MERTENS: For me it's a bit too much to play singles, doubles, mixed doubles. Okay if you lose in the first round, then you can still see if you want some mixed doubles, but hopefully that doesn't happen.

So for me, I never really played it.