MUTUA MADRID OPEN

May 4, 2022

Ons Jabeur

Press Conference

O. JABEUR/S. Halep

6-3, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations on your victory over a very formidable opponent. Can you talk us through how you were feeling out there on court today.

ONS JABEUR: Good match. Happy with my performance today. You know, I really listened to my coach, what he had to tell me.

It's great performance. It's never easy to play Simona. Really happy with the fact that I took my revenge. I can see that I'm progressing in my game and in other stuff. I hope I can continue with this level to play the other matches.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. There was a game in the second set where you were up like 40-Love, and she had breakpoints after that in that game. It felt like it may have turned things around but you hung on. What was your mentality like in that game, and what did you do to like dial in after that?

ONS JABEUR: Well, to be honest with you, I was really stressed the whole match, knowing Simona, knowing that she can come back at every time. I know I didn't play two or three shots really well, and she did return kind of long and didn't help me putting the ball in.

But I knew I had to win this game no matter what. I know I made like a lot of dropshots in this game. But it was a crazy point, especially at 40-30 where I could finish, you know, the point, but I didn't know if I took the risk and miss it or what should I do?

I felt like she played really well, and I'm impressed with the fact I didn't kind of focus on that point, because if I really was frustrated for this point, I could have lost the game. But happy that I kept it cool and won that game, because it was I think the game of the set, to say, you know.

Q. You said that in Dubai you didn't like too much that she was controlling you in that match.

ONS JABEUR: Yeah.

Q. Today it looked like you were in control. What did you do differently today to switch that tactically?

ONS JABEUR: Physically I was much more ready than in Dubai. I think I was much more patient. I was telling myself from last night, Be patient, be patient, you know, repeating that.

I really prepared the match with Melanie. That helped me a lot. Taking Issam's advice kind of helped me a lot. I feel good. I feel more confident on clay right now. I played a lot of matches.

I have been like having this strategy to go in the court whenever I can. I was, you know, a little bit stressed the beginning of the match. I couldn't execute my forehands, but I feel like at the end I was really doing whatever I like. If I wanted to slice, if I wanted to hit hard, I kind of felt really confident. I think I didn't feel that way for a long time. So pretty happy with that.

Q. A couple of questions. How did you reach the point where you are feeling this confident? What kind of factors go into you reaching this state of mind?

ONS JABEUR: Well, preparing for the match in a certain way kind of helps me reach the level that I want to reach. You know, I mean, stress-wise or physically-wise or the fact that I can really think on the court and not let the frustration take part, or the stress.

Playing a lot of matches as well could help me be more confident. Losing few matches where I kind of was able to win but then focus more on what I did wrong, that I think I improved a lot in that level, because when I lose a match is not just, Okay, I lost, and then move on. No, I just really need to know what happened in that game.

I think maturity-wise, I think I evolved in that part, and that's what makes me the player I am today. I'm still really looking forward to see what I can bring.

I think this tournament is teaching me how to really dig deep, because I feel playing Simona and winning against Simona today was a mandatory part that I had to go through to achieve the goals that I told you about. And why not be top 5 and win more titles?

So I'm glad that I succeeded this test, but the tournament is not over yet. I need to really see what the next test will be.

Q. It seems like the success rate when Melanie is at a tournament is pretty decent. You made your first quarterfinals at Wimbledon when she was there. Now your semis here.

ONS JABEUR: Yeah.

Q. I'm curious, do you think you want to have her at more tournaments, or you like the balance between having her in some and not at some?

ONS JABEUR: No, everything goes to Melanie, of course (smiling). Yeah, I mean, we discuss that from last year already that I need her with me for more tournaments obviously, because you like it or not, it's much easier than to speak to her virtually.

I think to be here and she's here and I see her that she's in my box, it helps me a lot. Also, at the same time, you know, all the hard work we did before.

Yeah, definitely she's coming to more tournaments. She's my lucky charm right now (smiling). If I win this tournament, literally, I'm taking her to Rome with me. I don't care about her family, no, she's coming with me (smiling).

Q. We talk about your dropshots all the time, but I have another question still. When you go for the dropshot, is it just in your mind, "dropshot," or is there a variety of types of dropshots? What's the thinking behind it?

ONS JABEUR: That question, I don't know the answer to. Sometimes I really don't want to do a dropshot but then my hands just go. I don't know what's going on there (smiling).

Sometimes I just see that the player is really far, so I do really like a good dropshot. Today I think was one of my best days that I saw the stats, like 18 and I only lost 1, which is amazing. I'm showing that to my coach.

It's just something that helps, especially like some points you can see that she runs really well from backhand to forehand, and tactically-wise, it's amazing to do this kind of dropshot and it helps me a lot to gain energy and not waste more energy on hitting one more shot.

Q. You're tied with Iga for most quarterfinals made this year.

ONS JABEUR: Wow.

Q. But you also said you were sick of making quarterfinals.

ONS JABEUR: Yeah.

Q. What does it mean for you to not just get the win over Simona but to get those revenge wins back to back over Belinda and Simona and then to make a second WTA 1000 semi?

ONS JABEUR: Yeah, well, I'm sick of semifinals. Can I say that? Because I said that for quarters.

I'm just going to continue this way, continue to know what I should do each match. I'm going to play two aggressive players next match, either Alexandrova or Anisimova. It's going to be very tough. I know they both want to win.

I'm just going to do me, and hopefully I can be able to counter, you know, the aggressive shots, because it's not -- they don't like to play me and I don't like to play them. It's going to be whoever is feeling great the next day, whoever is going to be good. Again, I always wish them to play for five hours (smiling).

Q. Did Rafa get you tickets?

ONS JABEUR: I mean, I saw him today. He's like, Good luck. Just before the match. You know, it's tricky. I play tomorrow. The match is late. So I'm just going to pretend that, you know, I'm just have a match tomorrow.

No, I mean, I want to go, but I don't want to go just for 45 minutes and then go back. If I'm gonna stay, it's going to be very late for me. But I'm just going to cheer for them, so if they win, I know the final is in Paris. I'm following. Don't worry, I'm following in Paris. I have my connections there (smiling).

Unless it's going to be the same time as the French Open, but, you know, finals of Champions League is always a dream of mine. So let's see.

Q. Sometimes you can associate tournaments with certain players, for example, Rafa is Roland Garros. With you, as well, maybe, the French Open suits you. But in my mind, Madrid suits you as well.

ONS JABEUR: I changed (smiling).

Q. Do you agree with that, that Madrid could be a typical Ons tournament?

ONS JABEUR: It could be, really. I always want to come to tournaments. I feel the energy of the city, of the tournament, of the people around.

As soon as I landed here in Madrid, it was, like, Wow, I really belong here. I love how people -- I love, first of all, Spanish, the language. I love how people are really chill. It's been feeling great since day one.

So, yeah, if it really goes well here, then I need to win maybe one more time? Because Petra won two or three times here? Three times? I kind of need to go, you know, above that. But for now it's Petra's tournament until I get more wins.