US OPEN

September 2, 2022

Caroline Garcia

Press Conference

C. GARCIA/B. Andreescu

6-3, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Straight sets. Your thoughts on your play and the victory.

CAROLINE GARCIA: Yeah, I'm very happy with the way I play today, with the win, to be through in second week. Was very intense match. Very tough rallies. Very, very intense every single point, every single game.

Yeah, just really happy with the way I played. I manage also the match.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. In terms of the match today, you said obviously playing a high-intensity match, what was the key to keeping the pressure on Bianca?

CAROLINE GARCIA: It was a big part of the match, it was definitely the pressure I was able to put on her service game every single time, really trying to get every opportunity I had, to be inside the court earlier than she can do it. Try to kind of play faster than she does.

It's a game I really try to keep improving, what I've been doing the last couple of week. It's a challenge every single time I walk on court. But I really like it, really enjoy it.

It's a kind of players that fight until the end, try to find new solution. She were trying to play earlier to move down the line and everything. Every point was really important.

I'm very happy I made it two.

Q. You're a player who when you get on a roll, you seem to get on a roll. What is the secret to that? Why is that the case for you?

CAROLINE GARCIA: I don't know. I mean, yeah, looks like so. But it's really a challenge to try to enjoy the title, win, then relax a little bit, try to find new challenge in the other one. The first one is going to be tricky. The second one, player wants to beat you, doesn't matter who you are, how you are playing. It's always a challenge.

We are trying to be focus one match at a time, day by day. Yeah, I play two days ago. Yesterday was the doubles. You try to make it fast. It doesn't go as fast at all.

You go back to the hotel, it's 11 again. You have to take every day like it is. Obviously you get confidence by winning one match after another, playing better, moving forward. We are trying to stay focus on the positive things, seeing a lot of things to keep improving.

Q. You seemed to have a perfect energy out there, where you're calm but focused. Have you always had that clarity in your game? Is that something new?

CAROLINE GARCIA: No, it has not (smiling). It is something we are really working on, trying to really be focus one point at a time. If I make a mistake, or if the other one play great, just forget about it and focus on the next point. I can always come back. That's what we like about tennis, is there is no limit in time, you can always come back, doesn't matter what's score is.

Every point, to be ready to play it 100%. It's definitely paying off to have this mindset. It was a challenge, especially at the end. At the beginning of the year it was something I was not getting under control. We tried to work on it with the team, stay calm every point and refocus.

Q. Talk about what the work actually is. How does that work get done?

CAROLINE GARCIA: Yeah, it's to shut my mouth. That's it. Yeah, when I start to speak on court, it's not going well (smiling).

Q. That's something you've always done but you're not doing anymore?

CAROLINE GARCIA: What do you mean?

Q. Speaking on court.

CAROLINE GARCIA: Yeah, sometimes I feel frustrated by myself. But I know if I start to speak and be mad, it's not going to work out.

The last couple of week I have been able just trying to let go and focus on the next point. It prove me it was working. It's encouraging to do it even when I'm getting frustrated.

Q. You talked before the tournament about how the emotions of a Grand Slam have not been easy to manage. Is this the first time you've been at a slam where it feels like just a regular tournament? Does this feel like a big emotional win against Bianca?

CAROLINE GARCIA: Yes, it is a big win. I was feeling emotional on court trying to get everything under control. You want to finish it, the other one is trying to do everything she can to change things.

Yeah, I'm doing good so far. It's not easy every day. You get stress for some little things, stress for the match coming up.

But it's part of the game. It's normal. It's means you care about it and you want to do good. Just trying to focus on what is positive. Today is a great win. Little enjoyment tonight. Tomorrow we have doubles. We have to be ready for it.

Q. How much has the doubles been working with you this week, keeping the routine?

CAROLINE GARCIA: Yeah, we just play first round yesterday. It's a challenge, you know. We are not playing a lot of doubles so far, so you have to be ready for the first round.

Yeah, it was not an easy match. It was not great level. But we fought our way. It made you see that you can always improve things.

Q. Looking ahead to playing Alison, she's a tough opponent for you. What is it about her game style that is tricky for you? How do you think you'll be able to get the better of her this time?

CAROLINE GARCIA: Yeah, I mean, the last time I play her was on grass courts. It's one of her favorite surface, for sure. Here we are at the US Open, she's on home soil.

It was be a challenge of course. Looking forward to it. It will be maybe a good atmosphere, good energy. She play very flat. She manage the speed of the other one pretty well. She's using it to change direction and everything. She's a big fighter, trying to get every ball back.

Yeah, it's definitely an opposition of style. We'll try to get the best out of it.

Q. Do you feel like you're ready to win the US Open?

CAROLINE GARCIA: Ha-ha. It's still a long way for me. It's three match, three wins. Obviously it's great to be in the second week for the first time in US Open.

Things can go fast. I will just be ready for my next one and we'll see.

Q. Would you say you've been able to stay calm? A lot of people talk about the pressure at Grand Slams. From Cincinnati to here, have you had moments where you've had some nerves or have you been relatively calm?

CAROLINE GARCIA: No, I'm great. I'm calm. Everything goes right (laughter).

No, it's obviously a challenge every day. You are playing every match, you have to be ready for it. You have expectation from the outside. You have expectation about yourself, about your game, what you want to do, what you want to keep improving.

It's a challenge of every minute. I'm just enjoying it. It's good pressure, we'll say, a positive energy. We are just focused on that.

Q. You were able to get a lot of points to be short with Bianca. The longer points were even. What was the key for you tonight?

CAROLINE GARCIA: I mean, my game style is to definitely go on the shorter rallies, so try to put pressure on the serve and the return, what I've been managing good most of the time.

After, when I was getting shorter ball or an opportunity, I was really trying to be fast on my feet to get it. I think that's most importantly what I did good today, put the pressure always on her.

Yeah, my movement is definitely improving week after weeks. It's a great feeling. Give me confidence.