WTA FINALS

November 14, 2021

Karolina Pliskova

Press Conference

K. PLISKOVA/B. Krejcikova

0-6, 6-4, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Karolina, can you walk us through your thoughts on how you felt the match went today.

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: I mean, obviously horrible start, horrible first set. I think was combination of both me not playing really well and she playing just amazing. So I didn't really have many chances to somehow come back.

Just proud that I was able to reset and start from zero and find a bit my game, although it was not great, and in the end get the victory.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. After dropping that first set 6-Love, as you're walking your way through finding your game, getting into the match, what are you telling yourself? What adjustments are you making to get things back on your terms?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: I mean, it's difficult situation of course. You never want to start a match like this, with my serve and with my game, not to be able to make a game. I think, as I said, was a combination of her playing well, me not playing that well.

But you just go back to, like, really trying to make the simple things with the serve, maybe just to go for the serve which you feel the most confident about. Just to play simple, maybe couple cross-courts, not to go for crazy winners. I think there is not the situation if you're down 6-0 that crazy winners will just come out of nowhere.

So I just fought hard to give myself a chance, at least to wait, maybe she's going to miss couple, because she didn't really miss the first set anything.

Yeah, it actually happen, of course quite late. But happy I stayed in there and just waited for the chance.

Q. Do you think the three-setter that you played against Muguruza, how you came through that match, helped you in the later stages in this match?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: I mean, yeah, it's not really that I would be thinking about that match because I think was completely different match. I didn't really start that bad. It was quite close first set. Here was completely something else. Also facing Barbora from the same country. That's nothing really to compare. Honestly I thought she was playing much better than Muguruza the first day.

I think overall all the three-setters which I've played this year, they kind of helped you with the confidence. If you're able to just somehow like hold there, even if the second set is close, just to find a way how to stay close to the player, I think all of this experience which I had this year.

I think I had many three-setters, and normally I have many three-setters in my career (smiling), so obviously that helps.

Q. 4-3 in the second set, do you think it was the key? Can you evaluate this year working with Sascha.

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: I mean, I would not really say there was like some specific game. Of course, there was one game where she really helped me. I think that was kind of it in the third set. She didn't really give me that many chances. I thought I just had to work for, like, every chance I got.

Of course in the second, that game where she gave me three double-faults, of course that kind of helped me to come back. On the other hand I think it was just because I was constantly putting pressure, just getting better with every game I've played. Yeah, I thought till this moment she didn't really miss much. Of course, it's tough to play a perfect match. Happy about that, of course.

With Sascha, things are going great. Of course, we set for next season, which is amazing for me. I hope also for him. I thought we had a great year. There is still many things we want to improve. Honestly I feel happy with him. I feel he understands me. We kind of are working well together. Hopefully we can have couple more good years.

Q. Where do you plan to watch the second match for Kontaveit and Muguruza? What are your thoughts on this matchup? Obviously you need Kontaveit to win.

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: Yeah, yeah, I hope she can win. Of course, I will be cheering for her. I will not hide it. Not really in the stands...

So far I've been watching pretty much all of the matches here. I'm going to watch. Anyway, I would be thinking about it even if I don't watch it. I prefer to watch at least and see what is happening. But not on the court. We will just go somewhere maybe to sit on dinner and have a chat. Maybe some drink will help, yeah, and pray (smiling).

Q. Your fate in terms of the qualification is not in your own hands. In the event we don't get to talk to you again, if it ends here, what do you take out of this WTA Finals participation?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: I mean, honestly I think it's the toughest tournament which I've played in terms of not feeling great for one single day here. Just the conditions I think are not really made for me.

I just found it super positive that although I was really not like feeling at all amazing, not in the practice, which is of course tough if you playing all week bad in practice, then just somehow feel amazing in the matches, it's difficult.

But I thought I really gave myself a chance with my kind of positive attitude - at least in the matches, not in the practices - but in the matches to get two wins, which many times would be enough to make it to the semis. Maybe it's going to be enough. We don't know.

I think this is the most, like, thing which I'm proud of because honestly I don't remember last time when I would be playing so much matches, so many days and practices with a bad feeling. Of course, there's always one day which is worse, but one day is better. Here was not anything better (smiling).

I think any other tournament with any other conditions, it's going to feel much better to me.

Q. What are your thoughts on the Mexican crowd? Describe the atmosphere here. How do you like the people?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: I love it. Honestly, I'm surprised. I think that's the best thing about this tournament for me, about competing here, about all of my matches here. Especially today I felt like the crowd really helped me to somehow find a way, the belief, because things were not really going my way. Still, there were so many people that supported me, screamed my name.

Yeah, the atmosphere overall I think all of these matches here, they have been great. That's, of course, much more joy to play matches like this. Just to be out there, if you struggle, there is nobody in the crowd, the crowd is quiet, it's of course much more tough to compete like that. Yeah, I love it. I hope to be back, of course.