MUTUA MADRID OPEN

May 5, 2022

Ons Jabeur

Press Conference

O. JABEUR/E. Alexandrova

6-2, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You were sick of quarterfinals, you were sick of semifinals. Now are you sick of finals?

ONS JABEUR: Yes, definitely (smiling).

Yeah, I mean, big, big final. I want to win. Let's say I'm going to put a positive here. I want to win this final. I'm going to put my heart, my favorite dropshot, my forehand in.

I'm just going to do my best and prepare the best way for this final, and hopefully with the level I'm playing today and yesterday, hopefully will be good.

Q. Can you just talk about the match today in terms of what worked for you, what made the difference, and what does it mean for you to get that win?

ONS JABEUR: It means a lot. I don't have great records in front of her. I knew I was playing such an aggressive player. She hits really like flat and hits a lot of winners, so in my mind, I was accepting those kind of winners and accepting that she can do any ace any time, any winner any time.

I know I was the favorite, I know I was playing good, I knew also she was a little bit tired from playing a lot of matches, so mentally I was really focused and I was ready for the win and not accepting to lose this time, for sure (smiling).

Q. Talk a little bit about your journey to the final, because obviously your first couple of matches were pretty scratchy, even from your admission, and it seems like you have been able to play yourself into form. How have you managed the tournament both just tactically in how you are playing your matches but also mentally?

ONS JABEUR: Well, I knew with the level that I played with the first few matches it couldn't get worse, to be honest with you. So it was kind of another -- I like to see this tournament as a test and good test for me, because I was trying to know what I should do every match.

The first few matches I didn't play great, but I was learning how to play bad and win at the same time, and I was digging very deep. The other few matches, I was playing Simona, and it's tough to play her. Like I said, it was a mandatory test for me to get through.

Again, Alexandrova, which is very difficult, I never won against her. I mean, I won once but it was a long time ago. So I feel like tournament is also revenge tournament, from Bencic to Halep to Alexandrova. If it's going through this rhythm, I think Jil will win tonight (smiling).

But I feel like I'm keeping to test myself, to test my patience, to test, Okay, Ons, you said you want to be top 5, you want to win titles, here it is, players, champions you are going to play against. Show me what you got, you know.

So for now I'm going to continue preparing the same way mentally, physically, and the same, you know, spirit on the court. Hopefully the next challenge, the next test will determinate if I deserve the title or not.

Q. Another great victory. You are always able to change your rhythm in the game. Do you have like an issue, strategy when to mix it up, or is it just about you following the instincts?

ONS JABEUR: I feel more comfortable changing like the rhythm right now, and I feel like more in control more than before, because in my mind, if I want to go flat and aggressive, I can do that.

At the same time, if I want to change it up the rhythm a little bit, I think that what helped me the last few matches being in control and being able to kind of use the whole court.

Tactically, I think I'm feeling good, you know. Sometimes you don't know if you're going to put the forehand in, but this time I knew I was going to put it in but how I want it, I think that's the key for this week for me.

Q. And Hala Madrid? Your favorite football team?

ONS JABEUR: Hala Madrid, yes.

Q. How did it affect you on an emotional level?

ONS JABEUR: Well, do you talk about me or the football team?

Q. No, I'm talking about you.

ONS JABEUR: Well, me, I mean, I guess me and Madrid, we are keeping up together. Playing the final, I'm going to play the final before them. But like I said, I love the energy here, I love being here, people are really friendly. Hopefully we will continue and shine in the finals.

Q. In terms of Charleston, that final was a tough loss. I know it hurt a lot. But to now make a final, biggest final just two tournaments later, what does that mean for you in terms of being able to bounce back? What is the lesson you take from all of the finals into Saturday?

ONS JABEUR: I think going into the finals, I am much better, like, taking the match and everything. I have learned if you have one break up you should finish. That's one thing (smiling).

But last match it was different circumstances, like I was really behind the score and trying to get back at Belinda, catching her, but she's sprinting far away from me.

This match is going to be different. I'm just going to really give my best. I don't want to regret, you know, saying like, Should I have done this, Should I have done that, I should have won my serve at that moment. I may go the same spirit that I played in Birmingham.

You know, the main important thing for me, I know it's winning the title but knowing that I gave it all during the match and not regretting that. I know if this one is not coming, then there is another one.

I keep pushing myself to do better, and, I mean, the proof is that from Charleston I worked really hard to be in the finals here. Like I said, I'm going to leave my heart on the court on Saturday.

Q. On Saturday you will face either Pegula or Teichmann. Can you talk about each one of those matchups?

ONS JABEUR: I mean, Jess plays really good. I watched her yesterday how she was patient with Sara. It's a tough match. I know she's playing good today. She's an aggressive player.

I'm going to do what I did in Dubai. Whatever worked for me in Dubai is probably going to work here in the final.

Jil is a lefty, a tough one. I know for some reason this court suits very good the lefty players. But I think when you play a final, it's not about how you play; it's how you win. I'm going to focus more how I win this match more than trying to play good.

You know, I'm just trying to focus mentally, physically, and more tactics, you know, to see if that could help. But I think in the most important point you should like just give it all and try to win, I mean, being smart, you know.

Q. You have worked a lot physically and mentally the past few years with your team. Do you feel the most complete version of yourself right now?

ONS JABEUR: I do. I do feel pretty confident, pretty ready to accept any challenge right now coming.

I have learned, like I say, I have learned a lot from my losses, and I like to challenge myself, because for me, if I put a challenge in front of me, that's how I get motivated. That's how I feel good about myself.

Now I feel everything it's coming in the same line. Everything is going the same way for me. I hope I can keep playing this good. I really cannot wait to play the finals and see what's gonna happen.