AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 23, 2022

Sorana Cirstea

Press Conference

S. CIRSTEA/A. Pavlyuchenkova

6-3, 2-6, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. Just talk us through the match a little bit.

SORANA CIRSTEA: Definitely, first of all, I'm happy with the result but also the way I played, especially the first and the third set. I know Nastya quite well, and as I mentioned on court, I think tonight was a bit of playing chess. We had to find a way, because we know each other's games quite well, to find a way, and find that weak point. I think I managed to do that by being aggressive first and third set. I thought second set she played really well, and she outplayed me in a lot of areas.

But I'm definitely very happy to be able to get this win.

Q. How would you rate this win in your career by getting to the fourth round?

SORANA CIRSTEA: Definitely I think I'm in the best moment of my career tennis-wise. I feel I have a lot of experience, and I do feel that also my game, it's more complete right now. And every year, you know, I think I kept trying to improve. I'm very happy to see things are finally coming all together, and I'm happy to see that in the results.

Q. I found out that your last win in Rod Laver Arena was ten years ago, 2012, against Sam Stosur. What's the big difference from the ten years ago comparing the arena and also yourself, the big difference?

SORANA CIRSTEA: Yes, I think in tennis and probably in sports people like to have this tendency of always mentioning your age or how many years ago or your results. But as I've said before, I'm not defined by numbers, ranking, age, or any of that. You know, I enjoy what I'm doing. I love tennis. I think I love it more and more from year to year, and I am quite experienced right now. I think I have improved a lot of areas, and I'm definitely a much better player right now than I was 10 years ago.

That can only give me joy, because I think with time I kept trying to improve, and I think I'm seeing the results right now.