WTA FINALS

November 16, 2021

Anett Kontaveit

Press Conference

A. KONTAVEIT/M. Sakkari

6-1, 3-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Anett, talk us through your thoughts on the match and how happy you are to have reached the final here in Guadalajara.

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Definitely very excited to reach the finals. I mean, just already been so proud that I've managed to make it to this tournament. Just really a tough match against Maria tonight. I think the first set was 6-1, but then I feel like she really improved her game, she started serving great, put a lot of pressure on me.

Yeah, I think the turning point in the third set maybe when I went a break down, 3-2, just managed to tell myself that if this is the last match of the season, then I might as well enjoy it. I feel like I got some freedom from that and just started playing better and managed to turn that set around.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Down a break in the third set, can you talk about the last service game that Maria had. Talk through your mentality of that game.

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Yeah, I mean, it was such a long game. I was just trying to do my best every point and just never give up and just never lose hope on that. Felt like I played the points pretty well when she had game points to get back to deuce. Couldn't really get the points on the deuce court. It was just back and forth a lot.

But, yeah, I think eventually just tried to be as consistent as possible and just make her play a lot of balls, be aggressive when I could. Yeah, I mean, it was such a close game, it could have gone either way.

Q. Can you talk about the adjustments you made after your last match. How much better did you feel out there and what were the keys to feel more comfortable in the night session matches?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Yeah, I think it just took some time to get used to it. I had some practices. Just really started to feel the ball much better. I think getting used to the conditions, it just takes a little bit of time I think.

Before the match with Garbine, I hadn't even like properly practiced late in the evening with the lights. Yeah, I think it was just something that took me some time to get used to. Now definitely feeling much better about it.

Q. You played two pretty powerful players in a row, Garbine and Maria. Can you compare their power? Can you explain how hard it is or how easy it is to continue hitting your shots, going for your shots, after you have a couple games that don't go your way?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: I think Maria and Garbine, they're both powerful players of course. They serve great. I think Maria's shots are maybe a little bit more explosive, and Garbine's shots are probably just a little bit, I don't know, deeper.

It's difficult to compare actually different girls, like the games to each other. It depends on how your game matches the other player as well. It's pretty interesting. I think they're both very aggressive players.

The second question?

Q. About your own power.

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Yeah, yeah.

Q. When you have a couple not go your way, where do you get your short memory to try to do it again the next point?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Yeah, I think self-belief. You play so many matches. I mean, I've played so many matches recently. I think just trusting your game. It doesn't always go your way, you miss some shots. Be kind to yourself, not get too mad, look forward to the next point, stay focused on what you have to do, not take your eye off the ball.

These girls hit the ball really hard, so it's not always easy to play aggressive. It's just something you have to adjust during the game.

Q. You mentioned you could have been proud to just make it here, if you fell short... How much more rewarding is it that you've been able to do what you've done here? Is it almost more eye-opening and surprising that you've been able to continue doing what you've been doing?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: I feel like the last few months have really showed me that I can play really well, I can beat great players consistently. I think I sort of have this self-belief now. When I came here, of course, I had nothing to lose. Every time I step on the court, I still think I can win the match, just do well. So yeah.

Q. Is that how you would explain what happened in the third set?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Yeah, I think my thought process in this moment was if this is going to be my last match of the season, I'm really going to enjoy it and just give it all that I have. I think that gave me some sort of freedom. Of course, the self-confidence from the previous matches helps a lot in this situation, too.

Q. What does this mean for you and your country? I saw fans from Estonia in the stadium. They were with your name on their T-shirts.

ANETT KONTAVEIT: I mean, I've always been very proud to represent my country. It's such a small country, but it's really beautiful.

Yeah, I think the support has been really incredible. I mean, I see a lot of people have started to watch tennis I think, which is pretty amazing. People waking up in the middle of the night to watch me play. Just coming here and showing up to Guadalajara, which is the other side of the world. It's incredible to see the support. It really feels special.

Q. What about your physical preparation during the last month?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: I mean, my physical preparation has been playing matches. Of course, I've just been playing so many matches. Of course, you try to maintain the fitness and everything as much as possible. I definitely have a lot of match fitness right now. I mean, I haven't really had any time to do any sort of other preparation.

Q. Are you ready to be champion?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Yeah, I think it's a very exciting moment for me. It's my biggest final so far. I mean, I think I have a lot of self-belief and confidence. I'm really going to enjoy it out there and hopefully play a good match. I mean, I'm ready for whatever comes. I'm ready for the next challenge.

Q. Facing Garbine for the second time in the same week, what do you take out of the round-robin match?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Yeah, I think there's something to learn. I definitely have to clean up the unforced errors from the previous match. I think that's the main thing. Just really fight and give my everything.

I think we've played a couple times in a very short period of time. I'm ready for a tough match. She's played some great tennis. She's beaten really good players. So have I. I'm really looking forward to this new challenge.

It's a new match. The previous matches, I think they don't really matter if you have this new opportunity.

Q. Do you think nerves will play into it? Are you on autopilot, it's not going to matter, or is there any sense the occasion could be a significant factor?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Actually in the previous matches I haven't felt nervous so far. I mean, I think for me, I was the last one to qualify here. I don't really have anything to lose. Everything that I'm doing here is a bonus for me.

I'm really actually looking forward for the match. I hope I get to enjoy it as much as I can, take it all in, just realize what I've done in the last few months. This is the last big challenge that I have this year, so I'm really looking forward to it.