BNP PARIBAS OPEN

March 12, 2022

Veronika Kudermetova

Press Conference

V. KUDERMETOVA/N. Osaka

6-0, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Tell us how you were feeling out there on court today.

VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA: Of course, I'm really happy about my performance today. I was so motivated, so focus. I feel I played really well today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You played so well this season already. How confident are you feeling and how different is your confidence level right now compared to this time last year?

VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA: Yes, I have little bit more confident than last year because I think every day I practice really hard and it gives me really more confident. I already beat a lot of good players this year. It also give me a lot of confident.

Every morning I step on the court, I try to do my best, I try to improve. I think that's why I play really good today.

Q. What were you expecting facing Naomi? What did you think of the match itself?

VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA: It's good match. It's also nice to play against great players, against Naomi, because I never play against her. I want to play that match because I want to see what I can improve, what I need to improve.

I mean, I play really well today. I hope I will continue to play like that.

Q. How much has your serve improved and what has been the key to that?

VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA: We work a lot of on my serve. Last year it's not working when I try to go really hard. I think this year I have more variety on my serve. I can go more placement, not the really hard serve. That part of my game improve a lot.

Q. Did you understand what was going on before the second game of the match when there was a delay?

VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA: Yeah. I didn't hear what lady say because I really so focus on my game, on my serve game, I didn't understand what she say.

But after that moment, I saw that Naomi, she start to cry. I don't understand what's happen.

Q. You play Marie Bouzkova. Can you talk about the challenge of playing her?

VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA: First of all, I think I need to focus on my game. Doesn't matter who stay other side. Just to keep working, never give up, just fight till the end.

I think that moments, it's very important for me.

Q. You said you were looking forward to playing against Naomi. How did you see her big achievement in Australian Open and US Open? You are the same age.

VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA: Yes, we're same age with Naomi. When I play juniors, I never see her, yeah. I mean, she's the great player. She already win how many Grand Slam? For me it's really important to play with the players like that because when I play with that kind of players, I can improve my game. After that matches, I have little bit more confident. I can step up, like, improve my game. It's very important for me.

Q. Do you feel like you understood what was happening more after Naomi spoke on court?

VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA: Yes. Naomi say lady say something. Naomi, she remind that something happen with Serena here few years ago. I mean, she start to cry because it similar what's happen with Serena. I mean, something kind of this happen.

But, I mean, it doesn't matter. I know she's the strong, the great person. I think it's will be good with her.

Q. You talked about wanting to test yourself against Naomi. Do you think the thing holding you back is the belief that you can beat these players?

VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA: Yes, yes, I think. Like I say before, every morning I step on the court, I try to do my best. I try to improve. That's give me confident. When I step on the court today, I know behind of my shoulder I have a lot of good practice, a lot of good matches. It's give me really more, like, belief in myself.

Q. Are there any other active players that you'd like to test yourself against?

VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA: I mean, all the top-10 players, it will be nice to test me with that kind of players.