MIAMI OPEN PRESENTED BY ITAú

March 25, 2022

Linda Fruhvirtova

Press Conference

L. FRUHVIRTOVA/E. Mertens

7-5, 2-6, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: (Off mic.)

LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA: Well, I mean, it's definitely one of my best tournaments so far. I think the best one. I never played against top-25 player, and, yeah, it's unbelievable.

I still can't believe it. But I'm so happy I got the win here. I worked really hard for this, and I'm enjoying it.

Q. When she won the second set, what's going through your mind?

LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA: Well, she started to be more aggressive in the second set. I slowed down a little bit. I still believe that I can win this match, and I just kept fighting and wanted to keep good attitude.

Yeah, I mean, I lost the second set, but I still knew that I can win this match and just keep playing my game and focusing on myself.

Q. You won six out of seven games against the No. 24 player in the world. When it happens, what goes through your mind?

LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA: I was like just stay focused until the match is over. You know, it was 3-1, 4-1. She had some chances at the beginning of the third set to break me, but yeah, it's unbelievable. It's like, you know, that really happen or am I just dreaming?

Yeah, I mean, the feeling is amazing, you know. These are the moments we do it for. So, yeah, I'm just really happy.

Q. Do you get nervous at all, because you were sort of the younger player and nothing to lose at all? Do you think that maybe helped you in a way?

LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA: Well, I think you're always a bit nervous in the matches, especially this was a really big match for me. The one before too.

But I think I managed well, and, yeah, I didn't let it get to me that much. Yeah, I think I managed well.

Q. Your sister is also training with you in France, or...

LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA: Yeah, well, we train together sometimes. She's obviously really good. We play doubles together. Yeah, I just can't wait till she's playing these tournaments too and we can be here together and get these matches together.

Yeah, I think she'll get here soon.

Q. Do your parents play tennis at all?

LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA: No, they did not. We're first ones in the family to play tennis on a professional level.

Q. As a young player, obviously you're just starting your career, and obviously this week Ashleigh Barty retired at 25. As a young player, when you look ahead at the tour and the difficulties sometimes it can bring and a player like that can retire so young, how do you sort of look at that?

LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA: Well, I think she's done some incredible things for tennis. You know, she's an incredible player. She seems like a nice person. I never got the chance to like meet her personally, but, you know, I think that everyone doesn't want to play till 30 or 40, you know. Everybody has different goals and what they want to achieve.

I think she achieved her goals, everything she wanted in tennis, so, yeah, she just wanted to start a different life. But, I mean, it's every player's decision. Someone wants to retire when she's 25, someone wants to keep playing till she's 40. You know, it's very individual.

Q. Is there anything you like doing away from tennis? Any other hobbies?

LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA: Well, I love to spend time with my sister. We go shopping sometimes. Yeah, just spend time with my family.

I don't get much free time, but, yeah, I like to follow some other sports, go to some games. Yeah, for now, there is not much free time, but I just like to spend it with my family.

Q. What are your goals then looking ahead towards the next few months or couple of years? Where do you see your trajectory?

LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA: Well, I have always answered that I want to reach No. 1. I want to win Grand Slam titles, which hasn't changed. We always said that with my sister it's my goal and, yeah, we just want to achieve that.

Q. Is Petra, I think she's playing right now, is she someone you looked up to as a young Czech player? Other players growing up that you looked up to?

LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA: Yeah, well, she's definitely one of the players that I grew up watching, you know, when I was younger. I watched her win the Wimbledon two times.

Yeah, she's definitely someone to look up to. She's a great athlete and great player. Really nice person. She's definitely one of the people to look up to.