ROLAND GARROS

June 2, 2022

Daria Kasatkina

Press Conference

I. SWIATEK/D. Kasatkina

6-2, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Bad luck today, but overall, you have had a fantastic tournament. Can you speak about what you are taking with you.

DARIA KASATKINA: All the best, because, I mean, it's been one of my best tournaments in my life. First time I reach a semifinal on a Grand Slam, and, I mean, it's best result in a Grand Slam for me. Despite the loss today, I'm very happy with the level and with everything what was going on these two weeks.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Obviously you have played her multiple times this year. Can you try and put a little bit into context what it's like facing her when she's feeling this confident. Did you feel much difference today compared to how she was when you guys played earlier in the year?

DARIA KASATKINA: Well, to be honest, was not that different. She didn't do anything which I was not ready for.

The thing is I was too emotional today, and I couldn't handle the nerves the way I was able to do the previous matches.

I think that's normal. Yeah, also, during the match she was playing better and better. All together bring the match to this point.

Q. You said about the emotions, like could you describe it a bit, like what was going on through your mind during the match.

DARIA KASATKINA: It was going on and off, on and off (smiling). I mean, before the match I was actually feeling not bad, but as soon as I step on the court, I don't know how to describe exactly the emotions and what you feel inside yourself. But was not usual.

But it's okay. I mean, I have to get used to it and try to find the ways how to manage these kind of nerves, so I'm happy that I experienced this one. Definitely I will try to do better next time.

Q. What have been the things that you have enjoyed the most at Roland Garros over the last few weeks? What have been the toughest things for you at Roland Garros this year?

DARIA KASATKINA: Well, the best things was that I was winning matches, of course, and enjoying the atmosphere, the crowd. I mean, it's amazing, especially after pandemic, it feels great to be back, I mean, on the full stands.

I cannot say that I was not enjoying something, because definitely these two weeks were amazing. Maybe today that I lose. But, well, you lose almost every week, so tennis players are kind of, you know, getting used to it (smiling).

In general, I'm just happy with the way these two weeks were going.

Q. Tough luck today. What do you think would have made the difference, emotions aside, whether tactically or technically, execution-wise, what do you think would have made a difference today?

DARIA KASATKINA: That's a good question. I think also Iga was a little bit nervous at the beginning. I was 2-0 down, then I was able to get the score tied to 2-All, and I think at this point if I could put the gear up, I think that would be, that could make the difference.

But she was more stable in this moment, so she corrected better than me. Then she turned the match her side.

Q. I know you were just on court a short while ago, but what do you think is your plan for the upcoming period? Usually it's routine, immediately on grass, Wimbledon. Obviously that's not the case. What do you do to handle the upcoming period?

DARIA KASATKINA: Well, few days, very few days, like maybe two days of rest, then back to work. First on hard court, because you cannot find grass anywhere, almost anywhere, so back on the hard court, and then going to Berlin, Bad Homburg for grass court tournaments.

Yeah, this is the closest plans that I have. I'm already not in the match, so I'm already thinking about the future and how I have to manage, you know, the road to the grass courts, which is good that I'm not in drama mode right now. I mean, sometimes you have to accept what life gives you and go with this. I mean, I'm pretty happy with what life giving me now, and I will go with this.

Q. You have told us that you need to have a positive outlook in your life, and you need to treat yourself when you are winning and sometimes when you are losing. How will you treat yourself?

DARIA KASATKINA: Today is different. I'm not playing tomorrow and the next days (smiling).

I don't know yet. It can be something more exciting than the French fries probably (smiling). So I don't decide yet, but it's gonna be something more exciting.

Q. On Iga, she will play either Coco or Trevisan in the final. How tough of a task is that for Coco or Martina, the way that you see it?

DARIA KASATKINA: It's going to be tough I think in the ways because for both of the girls it's going to be the first final, Grand Slam final. Iga already won a slam exactly here. So she has experience in this way. I think this one is going to be the toughest part.

But then, as soon as the match goes on, if the girls, I don't know who, gonna keep this moment, I mean, it's gonna be interesting, for sure. I think the mental part is gonna be, especially at the beginning, is going to make a big difference.

Q. You spoke in the beginning about, you know, reaching your first Grand Slam semifinal. I just wanted to ask, like, what does reaching this stage at a Grand Slam do to your confidence, your belief in your game, you know, going forward?

DARIA KASATKINA: A lot, because winning matches always gives you confidence, and as my coach said, the best medicine is to win matches. That's the best way, and I'm happy with this way.

Also, I been winning matches, you are increasing your ranking. And anybody can say I'm not focused on ranking, but the end, almost everyone, almost for everyone ranking is important.

Yeah, altogether, I mean, for sure it gives you confidence and it's better if you are winning matches than if you are losing. That's for sure.

Q. You said that you knew that how Iga was going to play, and she didn't do anything that you are not ready for. But what makes Iga tough to play against, her return or her tactics or her movement? Which one do you think is the biggest weapon for her?

DARIA KASATKINA: I think her moving pattern, she's moving really well. She is reaching a lot of balls. I mean, even some of the balls that you are thinking that the point is over, she's still there, and she's taking the ball pretty early, which makes it really tough.

Yeah, it's difficult when the player is moving good and then she can transit this to attack mode. Then it's make it really, really tough.