US OPEN

September 5, 2022

Karolina Pliskova

Press Conference

K. PLISKOVA/V. Azarenka

7-5, 6-7, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Three sets, three hours, long match. Your thoughts on your play today.

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: I think one of the best matches this year, for sure, from my side. I think also from her. I thought the level of the tennis was quite good for all, like, three sets. Maybe the third set, maybe she start to drop it a little bit. Of course, it was understandable because physically also was quite tough. We had long rallies, long points, long games.

But quite happy with my level.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. (No microphone.)

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: Of course, the first set was maybe a little bit closer to her. Second set I just felt I was kind of there. Early in the set I had some break points. I didn't make it. I thought it could really go my way a little bit more.

Yeah, overall I think it was like so close, all the games, all the points. So really not many, like, easy mistakes. Not even from her, not even from me. I think the level was quite good. Of course, it can happen that you still, like, play well and you lose a set.

But, of course, a bit disappointed because then kind of, like, I was close to just have it. Physically it was quite tough. Of course, will be better if I finish in two sets.

I kind of like relaxed a little bit. I thought I was playing really well tonight. Even physically I was feeling fine. I could last much more. I was thinking if I keep playing like this, maybe she's going to drop the level. I think that's maybe what happened a little bit.

Q. How were you feeling about everything heading into this tournament? How does this change how you'll look back on this year?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: Of course, it's going to change a little bit because I thought it was disaster year. Now it's going to be less disaster no matter what happens (laughter).

As I said, I thought lately in the summer I just had some really good matches which kind of gave me some, like, confidence. Of course, everything is about the confidence. Nobody forgets how to play tennis. You just need to sometimes relax a little bit. This is happening only when you win couple matches, three-setters, which I did earlier in all the tournaments hard courts.

Yeah, so I think I'm playing now quite good tennis, maybe even better than last year here. Back in quarters. Of course, there are two opponents which I beat both of them, so still there is a chance.

Q. In terms of four matches you have played here, a tough draw, obviously a very physical effort. What do you think are the one or two keys tennistically that you think have been the key to getting you back into the quarterfinals?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: For sure, like the physical part is super important because, as you said, I played out of four matches three over like two hours, three-setters, beating actually good player, Belinda especially, also today. I think the physical part is also, like, a key, I think.

Then you can just relax more, not to worry about, like, how long I can last on the court. This also gives me some confidence just to be on the court.

I think overall I just feel the ball quite well, for no reason. But I've been playing well at this tournament. In the past, as well. The courts, it can be quite fast, the balls as well. I've been having many success here. I think that's also kind of, like, if you come to a tournament where you in the past did well, I think that kind of, like, helps as well.

My serve was great, especially today. Just helped me on important moments. Yeah, I just think there is not really huge weakness in my game at the moment.

Q. You mentioned confidence is everything. What is the difference between yourself when you are playing with confidence and when you're not? In your head, what are you thinking?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: Especially with my game, it's huge difference because then if you start to doubt, like, some decisions and some points, to go for it, not to go for it, it's always a mistake. Then if you have that confidence, you don't even think about where to play. Just kind of comes automatically. That's happening right now.

Of course, before it's, like, we've all been there. It's happening to everybody. I think maybe for some players which are more, like, defending, they don't need to take that much risk. They just play the easier points.

I still need to take the risk. If you're not feeling well, feeling the ball, then many mistakes is coming. I think it's about the decisions and how you approach the match.

Of course, now I go into the matches feeling just much more relaxed because I know I have won at least something. Of course I still want to win the tournament, but just the feeling overall is much better.

Q. There's been a lot of talk about the idea that the women's field is more open than ever. Is it as open as it feels?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: This is something that's going on, like, now for a couple years. There is not somebody who will win every week. I thought Iga was super dominating the first part of the year.

Of course, I think it's super tough to just do it like for all year because the level now is I think much higher than it was the years before where you had some maybe easier matches in the draw. Now you don't have it. Now from the first round you can actually lose if you're not ready, if you're not there and ready. I think you can lose to anybody, even like the top players.

Yeah, of course it is open. I think now also with the guys, it's happening little bit. So finally not only girls (smiling).

Yeah, of course, like there are some players which they still make it to the second week. The winners there have been different. There's pressure, then somebody's a little bit injured. There is all things coming out.

So I think it's very open. I think it's exciting for the people as well. If you have one winner like for all year, I think it's boring. So I think it's good.

Q. A few months ago you talked about Ajla's game, about how good of a player you think she is because of how you practiced with her. I'm assuming you're not surprised by what she's done. Can you talk about what your reaction is to that. What is it about Ajla that makes her so good?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: Maybe she heard me, that's why she's playing so much better (laughter).

No, I mean, I played her many times. Many times was close. Every time I won I think. I always thought, as I said before, she doesn't really have like a huge weakness in the game. Super solid from the baseline. Great backhand. Quite solid serve.

She can be tough to beat if you're not really feeling that amazing that day. I think she can be super tough. I can see her now somehow fighting, and of course confidence again.

Yeah, I think maybe she just believes a little bit more that she can actually beat the top players, which before I think she was always kind of close but maybe didn't believe. I don't know.

I think now she got somewhere where she beat couple good players. Yeah, she's playing really well. I didn't see last night. I just saw the match with Serena. Also with Muchova, my friend, in the first round. I think she's playing well at the moment.