CITI OPEN

August 1, 2022

Simona Halep

Press Conference

S. HALEP/C. Bucsa

6-3, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Can you talk us through how you were feeling out there on court.

SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, was not easy because always the first round is difficult. I changed the surface. I had a good run in Wimbledon, so it's always tough to start.

But I'm really happy. I won the match and I can play another match here in Washington.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Towards the end of the match seemed like the conditions were getting to you a little bit. How did you turn it around?

SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, my energy dropped. I'm not used. I didn't play the last months in this heat. It's always tricky to start the tournament. Now I know. I got used to the conditions better.

Yeah, first round is difficult. But it's good that I finish in two sets.

Q. What was the training block like after the last couple weeks?

SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, I've been home. I practice home. I work hard. I am a lot into this now. I feel that I have a lot of energy. I feel I have a lot of desire to get better. I'm working hard.

I'm happy with the way I am. I'm fit. I feel healthy. I'm healthy. So it's a good thing to look forward to the tournaments.

Q. With the new coach, you changed a good number of things about your game in the last couple months. Can you talk about the challenge of being both a very successful player, mature player, but making changes to your game. What is the challenge of competing under pressure with all these new changes?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, I think I have many changes out of the court also, the whole team, the place where I practice most of the time. Everything changed in my life.

It's excited. I'm excited about it. But it's not easy. That's why I always try to be nice to myself, to give time to get used to everything.

About the game... I always thought inside myself that I have to be more aggressive. But now with someone that really believes that, with Patrick, gives me more confidence that I'm able to do it.

I'm working on that and I'm not focusing on the results in this moment. I know is going to take time to make it more solid, to make the game more solid, and to be able to win matches in a row.

I started well in Wimbledon after a few months that I struggled. Yeah, right now I'm just looking forward to play every match.

Q. Patrick isn't here this week. What do you take away from a week where you have things to yourself, manage your schedule, practices? Seems like Patrick can really run the show.

SIMONA HALEP: I'm in touch with him not stop. He's kind of here but just not here. Yeah, we talked a lot about what I have to do. But I know now what I have to do.

Yeah, we are in contact. I don't feel lonely here.

Q. A silly fashion question. The crop top got a lot of positive reviews on Twitter. I'm curious about the decision.

SIMONA HALEP: That's new for me. I'm not a big fan of that kind of thing. But I felt okay. It doesn't bother me so it's good.

Q. Did you have any handle in picking it?

SIMONA HALEP: No, I received it, so I have to play with it.

Q. Can you share with us how important is it coming out of the pandemic, you're able to play in front of crowds again, how important is that for you as a player? Since it's been a few years since you've been here, do you see changes in the atmosphere?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, in this tournament I always loved the atmosphere. The people are super nice to me. The vibe is super friendly. It's nice to play here.

The heat is a little bit tough because we are not used to this humidity. But with days in a row, you get used to it.

I love being here. I want to play as much as possible and to enjoy the time because everyone is nice.

Q. Since you were so dominant in the first set, did you sort of take things for granted and let down your guard beginning the second?

SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, it was set and 5-2. I was pretty, yeah, dominating the match. As I said, the energy dropped a little bit. I was not very clear with what I have to do. I rushed. I made some mistakes. But it's good that I calm down and I played really well the last two games.

She's never easy. It's never easy to play with someone that you never played before, so I didn't really know what to expect. But I feel like it was a good match.

Q. You explained you and Patrick are in touch. When you are in the second set today, do you hear his advice or his voice in your head? Are there some basic tips that he's given you that you remind yourself of?

SIMONA HALEP: At 5-All I told to myself what actually he was telling me when I have panic moments during the matches: to calm down and just to do what I have to do. So just to focus on what I have to do and to be brave to do it even if sometimes I miss.

I just have to do it and I did it. It worked super well today.