WTA FINALS

November 12, 2021

Garbine Muguruza

Press Conference

G. MUGURUZA/B. Krejcikova

2-6, 6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Garbine, can you walk us through your thoughts on the match tonight.

GARBINE MUGURUZA: Well, I mean, very happy about my fighting spirit today. I lost the first match in a very tough way. I got this one on my side in a very tough way. Very happy with the way I handled the difficulties.

I think I started the first set, yeah, not playing great. In the second set the crowd really helped me. I said before, and I really mean it, because they cheer me up. I realize that, hey, I'm not leaving this court without changing things around at least or give Barbora the biggest fight.

Very happy with the way I played also the third set because it could have gone both ways I feel again. Yeah, this time I felt like I deserve it (smiling).

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Was there an adjustment you made to have so much success with your first serve in the last two sets?

GARBINE MUGURUZA: I mean, yes, because I felt like in the first set wasn't doing enough. Every time I serve, she would break me or I would not dominate. I feel like the serve is such a weapon. Here in the altitude, I had to do something different. I concentrate a lot on making those first serves at least so I could hold my serve, then try to break her.

Yeah, that was definitely a key today.

Q. Sunday will be another battle with Anett. Recently you faced each other in Moscow. Do you want that revenge? What do you need to do differently this time?

GARBINE MUGURUZA: Yeah, I mean, that match really wasn't my day. I kind of forgot a little bit about that match because I didn't feel like I played well.

But she's playing very well, in big confidence. I had a very tough group. I managed today to keep my options alive. Yeah, she's going to be the last test for me. I have to prepare well and rest well.

Yeah, it's definitely going to be a very tough match in order to qualify.

Q. With your match against Pliskova and tonight, what are you tapping into? What are you thinking in terms of the fighting spirit? What are you telling yourself to elevate your level?

GARBINE MUGURUZA: I tell myself I'm in Mexico. I love it here. This is the final push. I'm going to give everything I have left on every single match. No matter if it's ugly the score or whatever, I always have a chance because I've played all of them, I've beaten some, lost to some.

It's really very open. You never feel like you don't have a chance right now. So that's where I get my fuel. Yeah, I'm very excited to keep my options alive.

Q. You had to break Barbora twice in the third game of the third set. You didn't let the missed call bother you. Do you think you can do things like that better at this point than maybe you could a few years ago?

GARBINE MUGURUZA: Yeah, I mean, I think you're super right. Before I would get so emotional maybe. I don't know if it was in or out. I saw it super out. Yeah, whatever.

Yeah, I definitely handle more. I stay calm, focused. Okay, it's like one point, calm down. It's just deuce. It's not like you lost the match. You're still very much alive.

I tried to forget it. It's not easy. But definitely I'm much more solid in that way in terms of not being too dramatic. Whatever, next, yeah.

Q. Do you feel you're more comfortable after two matches with the tricky conditions?

GARBINE MUGURUZA: Yeah, I feel so. It's very tough. On the first set I felt, Well, it's going to be hard. But definitely playing long matches, I've played so many hours already on that court, somehow, yeah, must help me for the next one.