THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 2, 2022

Simona Halep

Press Conference

S. HALEP/M. Frech

6-4, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Simona, give us your thoughts on the match.

SIMONA HALEP: Well, it's been a good match. I'm happy about it. I'm trying just to play more offensive and I'm pushing myself to do that. So it was a good match.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What are the biggest questions you had about yourself coming into the tournament, and how have you been answering them so far?

SIMONA HALEP: Just working hard every day and trying to push myself, as I said, to play what I want to play, and giving my best every day.

I didn't really questioning myself before coming here because I knew if I work hard and I do what I have to do, it's going to be good.

So I'm really happy about this week. I played a good tennis. Looking forward actually to play the second one and try to do day by day better.

Q. How about the level of confidence that you had before your first match and that you have now?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, I've been struggling with the confidence lately. But it's normal after last year when I was injured and I didn't win much.

But, again, with the work that I have done I feel better. I feel that physically I am strong, I'm strong, I'm where I have to be. I'm not worried about injuries anymore. Tennis will come. If I keep doing every day what I have to do, I'm really confident that it's going to come at the highest level.

Q. When do memories of winning here enter your mind?

SIMONA HALEP: I have always them, so it's tough to forget those memories (smiling).

This tournament back in 2019, it's been the best tournament of my career. The matches that I played here were perfect. So I always have those memories and I have always have confidence that my game is pretty good on grass.

Q. You spoke about struggling with confidence. Last year you had injuries. Is there any sense the fact that you haven't played this tournament for three years, but the last time you did you were obviously champion, has the comfort of being back in this place helped with your confidence at all?

SIMONA HALEP: Every time when you win a tournament and you come back, you have confidence because you have the feeling of the tournament. But every time is different.

In my opinion, you don't have to think too much about that year that you won. You have just to take match by match and to do your job. I think that's the most important.

Q. This will be the first year at Wimbledon without middle Sunday. What are your thoughts on that tradition going away? What was your favorite part of that middle Sunday?

SIMONA HALEP: I like tradition. I like what's happening here in Wimbledon, it's pretty special, with all white and this stuff.

Yeah, I don't mind playing Sunday. I'm not playing, so... Yeah, I will enjoy. I feel like it's much better for the crowd because they have a day off Sunday, so they can come and watch. I feel like it's every day happening something here.

It's really good.

Q. Were you surprised by how Magdalena was playing during some crucial moments when she was trying to achieve the highest level of her tennis? Were you surprised by that or you knew she was able to play on a high level?

SIMONA HALEP: I knew she's able to play better because we played each other. It was not an easy match back in Australia. She's a good opponent. She's a good player. It's never easy to play with her. She's changing rhythm. She's doing well. It was a good match.

Q. Could you pick some differences between those matches that you have played before and today?

SIMONA HALEP: Grass is different, so the game is changing all the time. I feel like she's doing well. I'm doing well. So both of us are doing well (laughter).

Yeah, it was a good match. It's tough to say what she has improved because I'm not following every day. But every time we played, it was a good match.