WTA FINALS

November 14, 2021

Barbora Krejcikova

Press Conference

K. PLISKOVA/B. Krejcikova

0-6, 6-4, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Barbora, just talk us through the match today and your singles campaign here in general in Guadalajara.

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, I think today I played well. Just unfortunately I lost. It's how it is. Yeah, I mean, I'm still in the competition. I'm looking forward to play doubles with my partner. I just want to put everything into that to win the trophy. So that's the goal right now.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. On the turnaround from Karolina, did you feel there was a difference in anything that you were doing that helped her to get the comeback going or was that purely her raising her level?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, I think, as I said, I played well. I mean, I just didn't use my chances and that's why I lost. It's as easy as that.

Q. Looking ahead in terms of refocusing for doubles, you have qualified into the semifinals. Is there anything that has to be done for you to change gears to focus strictly on the knockout rounds of the doubles?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, I've been having many matches like this. Singles didn't go and I had to focus on doubles. I'm just really going to do that. I mean, I'm looking forward to playing with Katerina. We've been doing really well. Looking forward to doing a little bit more.

Let's believe at the end of the week we're going to hold the trophy and we're going to keep winning. That's my biggest focus right now.

Q. While you were playing, the WTA came out with a statement condemning China for its treatment of Peng Shuai, given her sexual assault allegations. Is this something you have talked about with any players in the last 10 days? Do you have any strong feelings about it?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, I don't really know much about it. Also on the other hand I've been really busy playing. I cannot really say anything about it because I just don't want to say anything because I don't know. I'm sorry, I don't know how to answer this.

Q. A question about the Mexican crowd. Do you enjoy playing in front of them? Do you think they understand tennis well?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, I think it's really nice. They make a really nice atmosphere. It's been just a little bit more sad for me because I didn't really feel that they've been cheering for me. So, yeah, I believe that in the upcoming years when I'm going to just put my name little bit more higher and the people will know me, it's going to get better. So far this was really, really tough.

On the other hand, every single game they were there. It was a pretty amazing atmosphere. They've been cheering. They've been giving us a good time, really good energy to push ourselves. I mean, I think they're really amazing and they've been doing a really good job.

Yeah, I mean, I like them really much right now, but I hope in the future I'm going to love them.

Q. You're still in the doubles competition. This is a tournament that Jana Novotna already won once. Is there a new kind of motivation for you to repeat your mentor?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: I mean, right now my focus is on the doubles. I want to do well. I want to play well with Katerina. I want to keep going because I think we started really well. I just want to keep improving and keep playing better and better.

Yeah, I mean, it would be really nice to get the trophy at the end. Also it's very, very far away. We have to go match by match. I believe it's going to be good for us.

Q. It's been such an incredible year for you, disappointing to end the singles part of the year 0-3. Is any part of you already understanding the big picture? If you told yourself a year ago you'd finish without a win in singles at the year-end championships, would it seem incredible? Is that perspective there yet? Is it going to come later? Are you too competitive to have those thoughts in this moment?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, I think I had amazing season. I think I was doing really well throughout the season. I think I was really consistent, doing a really good job.

Right now, yeah, it's very disappointing. Yeah, I see where I have to improve. I think I can improve there. I think it's a good time for me.

The tournament is still not over. I'm playing doubles. I really want to do well in doubles with my partner. I just keep going. I just stay focused and just will try to do my best. Yeah, I think with Katerina we playing well. Let's continue, let's do even better.