DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

February 15, 2022

Mayar Sherif

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium

Press Conference

E. SVITOLINA/M. Sherif

6-2, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How did you feel about making, first of all, your tournament debut here? What was it like on court out there for you?

MAYAR SHERIF: It was obviously exciting going onto the court my first time playing this tournament. It's been very welcoming. They have been great with us since we have arrived. It just gave me motivation. Also to feel the help from the Arab community, that gives you a lot of confidence I would say.

On the court today, a little nervous (smiling). Haven't played many matches like this. But it was a good experience that I think will help my game in the future. Can't say anymore about it.

Q. You seemed to have an aggressive game plan. She's obviously someone who gets back so many balls. Can you talk a little bit about what made it difficult for you today against her.

MAYAR SHERIF: What made it difficult, it wasn't her. What made it difficult was me just missing too many balls, not playing with the right plan from the beginning I would say.

Even though I wasn't serving well, I wasn't returning well, I still had chances in the second set that I think I didn't take it. That was the point where it just mentally was very, very tough.

But I think in general it's a positive experience because I see where the level is, I see where I'm at, and just to take my game forward and improve.

Q. How did it feel to get the support from the crowd that you had there today as opposed the empty stadiums that we've had before?

MAYAR SHERIF: It was great, to be honest. Many Egyptians today, many Arabs. I know many people were watching on TV. It was very nice to have the support of the people, not just the people on the court today, I know many people off the court were watching and were supporting.

I know people that came from Egypt especially to watch. I can't be more grateful. It gave me a lot of confidence while I was playing.

Q. We're not used in this tournament to have back-to-back on center court two Arabs playing. This tournament has been here 20 years. What does it mean to be part of this with you and Ons? How keen are you for this to be an annual occurrence?

MAYAR SHERIF: Just having Ons around, seeing her around, the position where Ons is right now, it just gives you so much hope. Just looking at her way to where she is right now, it gives you a lot of confidence, it gives you a way to be patient, to see where she is now, hoping for that to come.

It just is very nice really to have her around. I can't wait to play more tournaments while she's there, and hopefully to get a double match with her. So let's see.

Q. I want to ask you about Danielle Collins. You were a college tennis player. She's a former NCAA tennis player. She made a slam final. What does it mean to you to see that college tennis players are able to make it big on the tour right now? Does that give you confidence in your journey?

MAYAR SHERIF: Definitely. You hear from many people that going to college would kill your game, going to college would kill your chance of being a professional.

But seeing now this happening more often than before, now the players see us that are playing college, and that's the vision, is that when they finish college, that's what they want to do. Especially players that were playing while I was there, I see them trying. I think they see us there and they're, like, If they can do it, why not?

I think it gives a lot of motivation for the players who are competing at a high competition in the college. I'm so proud to be a part of that, to be honest.