WTA FINALS

November 9, 2021

Anett Kontaveit

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Anett, start off talking about what your week has been so far here and how your preparations have been going.

ANETT KONTAVEIT: I've been very excited just to make the tournament here. Had a few days now to get used to the altitude. I've really been having a good time and enjoyed my practices.

Just very grateful to be here, trying to take it all in and enjoy Guadalajara, yeah, just make the most of this experience.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How are the courts for you? Is it fast, slow? I know the air obviously is moving the ball quite fast.

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Yeah, I mean, I think it's fairly fast. Because of the air, it does fly quite a bit. I think it takes a few days to get used to that, just try and control the ball a bit more.

I mean, it's not crazy fast, but I think I would say it's kind of fast-ish.

Q. Have you changed the amount of tension on your racquets?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Yeah, I've gone up in tension a little bit just to adjust to the altitude.

Q. Speaking to all the players, everyone is very well-aware of what you pulled off in terms of your last few months of your season. What has it been like to get everybody speaking so highly about what you did? Are you feeling that energy, whether you have now gotten your head around what you did?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: I mean, a lot of players have been really sweet, congratulated me. Of course, that's really nice.

But I feel like the year's not over yet. The job's, like, not done. I'm really trying to stay focused on the task I have ahead. I think then I'll have, like, more time to reflect and think back of the season and be proud of what I've done.

I think right now it's still trying to stay focused and think of the things that I have to do this week.

Q. Especially for first-time qualifiers, this can feel very much like a reward. It's a big deal to just get here instead of focusing on winning the tournament. How are you managing those two almost competing feelings? They're not always consistent sometimes.

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Yeah, actually I've thought about this because I didn't know how I was going to react, face this sort of new situation.

Genuinely I thought after winning Moscow I'd feel some sort of relief. I thought after winning Transylvania, I would feel relief, just relaxed. But it still hasn't happened.

I feel like I'm still in the zone of, like, trying to keep doing as well as I can, hopefully get some good matches, just sort of really I think focus on just the - what's the word in English, sometimes I forget English words, sorry - the task that I have, like just the process, the progress that I'm trying to do and enjoy the matches. I think that's been my main focus so far.

Like I had no idea how I was going to handle this. I don't feel like I'm just really relaxed and just enjoying the place. Although I am, I'm really trying to take the experience in, but I also feel like all of my focus is on the matches.

Q. Your thoughts on your group? Is there a particular match you're looking forward to playing?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: I think they're all going to be very difficult matches. I mean, we're top eight players here. Everyone is going to be tough. Everyone wants it so much. I think every match, I'm going to take it as a challenge.

Really looking forward to competing, finding solutions on court, just having fun with that. I think that's the main thing that I'm going to try to do against every opponent that I have this week.

Q. You think it's actually worked in your favor that you've been busy playing Moscow, Cluj, where some players have not competed since Indian Wells?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: I think we'll see when we start playing matches if it's worked in my favor or not.

I mean, I'm really, really trying to focus on what I have to do. I've played so many matches, like you said. I don't think it's a bad thing. I like it. I mean, I think it's good. I don't know how other players would feel about it.

Yeah, for me, I think it's a good position to be in.

Q. A lot of players have said it's a different feel, tough to get the feel of the ball, we should expect some ugly tennis. Has that been your experience?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Yeah, I think here you have to really be kind to yourself. That's definitely what I'm going to try and do. I think the first day, first few days of practicing, it was really hard to feel the ball. It took off a lot. I think it's been slowly getting better. Of course, I mean, you really have to stay on top of it when you're playing points, just focus super hard on not overhitting, just focus on making a lot.

Q. How much pride do you take in being the first player from Estonia to play this event?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: I mean, I'm always really proud to represent my country, like, wherever I go. Of course it's a big achievement to be first Estonian player to be in the top 10. Of course I'm really proud of that.

I'm really happy to see there's so many people supporting me back at home, people who are genuinely thrilled for me, watching my matches whatever the time is there. It feels great.