NATIONAL BANK OPEN

August 12, 2022

Simona Halep

Press Conference

S. HALEP/C. Gauff

6-4, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Simona, you have an excellent record against Coco and that continued today. Just talk us through the match.

SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, I felt it was a little bit more difficult today. She served super strong. And always actually it's been tough against her.

But I'm really pleased with the way I stayed there strong mentally. And I fought for every point. Which it was really important because she's doing the same thing. And it's never easy against her.

THE MODERATOR: Okay. Questions?

Q. You last won in Canada four years ago. I'm curious how has your game changed or evolved in those four years?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, yeah, there are many years. Four years, yeah, I've changed a lot. As a person as well.

As a player, I don't know what exactly I did. But I feel like I improved in many aspects. Pandemic came so I think it was a little bit of struggling for everybody.

But I'm a better person. I'm a better player. So this helps me and gives me confidence to work hard and to look forward for the next tournament.

And just to fight for every match I play. I think this is the best thing to do after so many years on tour.

Q. I think this is the first day that Patrick is sitting in your box this week. Obviously it was really, really big news when you decided to work with him. So what has he really brought to your game this year? And why was it so important for you to work with him at this stage of your career as you're looking to kind of take that next step and to kind of bring your game to the next level?

SIMONA HALEP: I forgot your question, but it's okay. It was long.

Well, first I would say that when I, before I met him I was super down with my motivation. And like I couldn't really work, keep working. And I was almost done with tennis.

So he brought this fire back and the motivation. He trusted that I still can play good tennis. And he transferred this to me.

So, yeah, we are doing a good team, in my opinion. I trust him. I trust what we are doing. And I can show with the results because I'm in a semifinal again.

So I'm improving. I'm working hard. Hopefully I can do much better in the future.

Q. This has been the tightest of your four matches with Coco so far. How has she kind of improved since your first meeting at Wimbledon in the round of 16 and what did you notice from her today?

SIMONA HALEP: She's a bit stronger. She hits stronger. And the serve was much stronger today. Backhand is always hard.

So, yeah, I think she improved a lot since we played last time. But as I said at the start, it's always tough to play against her. And you never know, because she's fighting until the end. And actually she doesn't give you a point. So you have to stay there and to fight.

Q. You have had such a solid week. You didn't lose a set. How do you explain such a solid game from your part?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, I always say that I'm working hard. And I think this is the main reason that I can play good matches.

And mentally I'm strong. Even if I struggled a little bit in the second set. Also yesterday. I had the power to stay there and to finish it.

So I feel the game is good. Physically I'm good. Mentally I'm good. So I think it's all positive.

Q. You said at the beginning of the week last weekend that you like yourself more.

SIMONA HALEP: Yeah.

Q. What you do mean?

SIMONA HALEP: In all aspects I like myself. I feel better. I feel more confident. I'm doing the things better, more positive. So I think in the big picture I feel better with myself.

Q. Just wanted your thoughts on the potential next opponent in the semifinals, either Putintseva or Jessica Pegula, who is currently leading in the second.

SIMONA HALEP: Well, yeah, probably she's going to win. I don't believe we played against each other. So it's going to be a big challenge to face a new opponent. It's always like that.

But it's going to be semifinal. So for sure she's going to play good tennis. She's solid. She's in the top already. She has, she had a really good year. And last year too.

But as I always say, I will focus on myself and I will just fight for the match as I did here every time.

Q. After the match you went to the practice courts. So do you want to talk a little bit about how that went?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, yeah. Patrick told me that I need to practice a little bit more. My serve was not great today.

Yeah, I did it because I felt that it's a good idea, it's a good thing to do it.

And it went very well in the practice. So tomorrow hopefully it's going to go well in the match as well.