MELBOURNE SUMMER SET

January 8, 2022

Simona Halep

Press Conference

S. HALEP/Q. Zheng

6-3, 6-2

Q. You must be really happy with your performance today.

SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, I am, and I'm really happy that I can play the final for the first tournament of the year. I'm feeling good, and I'm happy with the way I played.

Q. Are you disappointed you're not going to get a chance to play against Naomi Osaka in the final? I'm sure it would be good to get a game of someone of her capabilities before the tournament.

SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, I heard she pulled out of the tournament, so I will face Kudermetova.

Q. You were just saying how comfortable you were feeling and you felt pretty good with the way you're playing. When was the last time you felt like that, considering what you went through last year?

SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, I forgot that I may feel like this on court. Yeah, last year definitely was the worst year that I ever had. The toughest mentally also.

But I want to forget about that. I just want to get the feeling from now. I am positive. I am feeling fit on court. I'm moving well. I'm playing good.

Yeah, it looks good.

Q. How did it feel after playing such a long grueling match yesterday and having to recover to play for today's match? How was the body feeling with the recovery between matches, and how pleased were you with how you were able to execute today?

SIMONA HALEP: Honestly I've been a little bit sore in the morning, and I felt like before when I had the matches in a row, and when you start the year, it's always tough because even if you train a lot back home, you are not ready for the official matches like every day.

But I'm really happy with the way I bounced back because it's always tough, first tournament of the year, few matches played, tough matches. Yesterday was really tough, and today I felt like I played much better, I served much better, and that means physically I'm in a good spot.

Q. What did you think of Zheng's game?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, very powerful. Some balls I didn't even see them. Yeah, I was surprised -- well, good surprised, I think, for her, that she can hit so strong. She's serving pretty strong also; 180 the first serve, which is huge, and she's so young. I feel like she has a bright future, and for sure if she keeps this way of playing, she will be good.

Q. What do you feel needs to be adjusted in your game at this point? I know it's still very early in the year, but are there any aspects that you feel maybe a little bit concerned with that you need to work on?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, maybe a little bit more consistency in the serve, to serve every day similar, because yesterday was terrible. Today was really good. Yeah, I need just to stay stable on that aspect.

The rest, I think every day you have to keep working to keep the level up.

Q. Looking ahead, facing Kudermetova for your first title since Rome, I guess. Just talk through what you expect in that match against her and then also just what it would mean to you to start the season with a title.

SIMONA HALEP: Well, it would be a great feeling, definitely, to win the title, but I'm still far. It's going to be a tough match tomorrow. We played each other in Moscow but it was indoor, so tomorrow will be different. But yeah, you never know, if it's raining we'll be indoor, as well, so pretty similar.

She's also powerful. She's strong. I have just to focus on myself like every time I play. The expectations are high because I feel good, but also I know that anything can happen.