WTA FINALS

November 12, 2021

Barbora Krejcikova

Press Conference

G. MUGURUZA/B. Krejcikova

2-6, 6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Barbora, obviously a very tight match. What do you think made the difference in the end?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, I think I played quite well. I think I was doing good job. I would say that I only lost because I was unlucky. That's it.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Were there any adjustments you felt like she made particularly in the second set?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, I think I was just unlucky because I had there some moments where I actually played a really, really tight ball that got out. I think that was it. That's why I lost the lead. That's why the things just turned around.

But, I mean, that's it. I just think I was unlucky and that's it, yeah.

Q. Looking ahead, obviously you still have a chance to qualify, given the math. You'll face Karolina. Talk about facing her and what the challenge will be there, how much you're looking forward to playing her.

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, I think it's going to be a very good match. I'm really looking forward playing her. Yeah, I mean, I didn't play her for a long time. I think it's going to be really good challenge for me. I'm just really looking forward to battle against her and just see where my level is.

Q. In the time during the lockdown when you were practicing with other players in Prague, did you practice or play matches against Karolina at that time?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: I didn't. No, I didn't. I didn't play her, no.

Q. The second and third sets, it seemed like Garbine made a lot of first serves. Didn't give you many second serves. Did you feel like she was serving effectively, maybe the best she's ever served against you?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, I think, yeah, she served pretty well. I know that she can just raise her level up. I mean, it's really tough when she's serving well, especially in here with the tough conditions.

I've been just trying to find a way. I was just a little short at the end. But I think I did a really good match, I did a really good performance. I'm actually really happy that every single day I'm improving and I'm getting better. It's a really, really good thing for me.

Yeah, just today match was really close. I was just the one that was unlucky. That's it. That's how I see the match.

Q. Energy-wise, are you feeling good, like you're ready to make one last push?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, I'm really looking forward to play one more match or even maybe more. Who knows. I'm really looking forward playing Karolina. It's going to be a really good match for me, a really good battle, a huge challenge.

Yeah, I'm just really looking forward playing her and see where my level is.

Q. How difficult was it for you to be on the stage with a pro Garbine crowd today?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Can you say the question again?

Q. How difficult it was for you to be on the stage with full crowd for Garbine, your opponent?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: I mean, that's how it is. I play in Mexico. I mean, she speaks Spanish. Yeah, just the language. People, they just like her.

It's fine for me. I was doing my best. I had some people there that were cheering for me, as well. I think the atmosphere was really amazing. I really like the Mexican fans. I think they do a really, really good job for us. It's perfect.

Yeah, in couple years when I'm going to get to the same stage as she is, I'm going to have fans as well. There's going to be another person that I will play against, and they're going to cheer for me the same way.

I just see it very positive and I'm really looking forward for the upcoming challenges. I really want to see where I can put myself in a couple of years. Yeah, I'm still young and I'm still just pretty much started this year. I just feel really good to be on this big stage. I'm really looking forward to improve and just keep going.