SYDNEY TENNIS CLASSIC

January 13, 2022

Anett Kontaveit

Press Conference

A. KONTAVEIT/O. Jabeur

6-4 [Ret.]

THE MODERATOR: Not the way you want to win a match, but how does it feel to be through to the semifinals?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Yeah, of course not the way I want to win. I hope that Ons is okay, that she's fine for next week.

Yeah, I mean, of course I'm happy to be in the semifinals. Also happy with the level in the first set. Yeah, just unfortunate that it had to end that way.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Since you and Dmitry joined together that have made you better than you were, say, a year ago? Mental approach or something physically you were doing on the court?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: I think it's a bit of both. I think I'm enjoying myself more on court, and I think that's the biggest change from last year probably. Of course we're working pretty hard on court with Dmitry, as well. I mean, that definitely is paying off, too.

Q. Did you ever expect to win four titles last year, especially the way that you did it, starting in Cleveland and continuing through the end of the year? Now here you are into the semifinals already in your first tournament of this season.

ANETT KONTAVEIT: I definitely didn't expect to. I mean, I hadn't won a title before last year since, like, I don't know, four years (smiling). Yeah, it was definitely a positive surprise.

Q. Through your first two matches, how are you feeling on the court? Are you pleased with the level that you're putting out there? If you are, what are you most pleased with so far with your first few matches?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Yeah, I mean, I have been fairly happy with the way I'm playing. Of course there are some things I can always improve on, but overall I think I have played a very solid level so far, which I think is what I'm the happiest about.

There haven't been huge dips in my game, so I feel like the consistency and keeping the aggressive style of play, and that has been working so far.

Q. During the offseason, I'm curious, what was maybe the one thing or two things that were absolutely necessary for you to kind of rejuvenate, recoup, put the last season behind you, all that sort of stuff? What was the most fun, I guess, you had during your offseason?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: That's a tough question, Courtney (smiling). I think realizing how many people were actually supporting me and staying up to watch my matches at night. I think that was something that, you know, when you go back home, you talk to these people and to your friends and your family, and you realize how big and how important it was.

I think, I mean, it was nice to see all of them, you know, the people at home. I think that was the main thing. I can't pinpoint like a special day or a special celebration dance that I did, but yeah, it was I think just seeing my people.

Q. You talked last match about embracing new challenges and the importance of that. But in a way, being in Australia, sort of a familiar challenge and one you excelled at in the past, making the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, being in a familiar place where you have had good results in the past on the back of a busy, hectic, successful last season. Does that feel comfortable to you to be in a familiar situation right now?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Yeah, I have always really enjoyed playing in Australia. It's a really nice place to come back to. I have always loved it here.

So of course I have had some great memories, but I think it's really just taking each match as a new challenge. Although I have done well here in the past doesn't guarantee anything for this year.

Q. You talked about fans tuning in virtually. Depending on what you have been able to get in terms of fan access this week, do you feel you're getting more fan support, fan interaction in person? What have some of those interactions been like if you have been able to have any?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: I'm still very careful with keeping the distance, because, you know, just want to be safe before the Australian Open of course.

But, yeah, there is a lot of people cheering. It's great to have crowds back and people watching the matches, which, you know, for so long we didn't have. I really do appreciate that a lot.

Q. You will be facing Barbora in the next round. Obviously familiar opponent to you. Can you just talk about what you expect there, what it will be like to get a test that is on the level of Guadalajara in your third match of the season?

ANETT KONTAVEIT: Yeah, it's definitely going to be a tough match. I mean, she's playing great. She's had good wins.

I mean, yeah, the season is so early on. I mean, last time we played was the end of the season. It was, I think, different conditions of course.

Yeah, I'm really looking forward to the challenge to play another top-10 player. I'm glad to be putting myself in these situations and getting good matches and getting quality time on court.