US OPEN

August 29, 2022

Danka Kovinic

Press Conference

S. WILLIAMS/D. Kovinic

6-3, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Interesting night out there. Talk about the match itself from a tennis standpoint.

DANKA KOVINIC: Yeah, of course. I mean, it's maybe one opportunity in a lifetime to play against Serena, especially in a night session match on Arthur Ashe.

It was definitely, I mean, an experience that I only could think of and dream of maybe in my entire career. I'm very pleased that I got opportunity to play against her.

It was better than I expected. I mean, the atmosphere on court. I thought that I would be a bit more nervous once I stepped out there. But I didn't have any kind of these feelings. I was very calm. I was keep telling myself just to enjoy and to take every moment of the match.

Yeah, I kind of have feeling that I played better than the score says. I had great time out there. I really enjoyed it, every second of the match.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. The sound in the stadium was crazy. They were also sometimes getting really behind her within the rallies. What was that like for you? Were you able to focus?

DANKA KOVINIC: I was able to focus. I remember first game, the forehand that I missed for Serena to leading 1-0, that one hit in the net. Because everyone went crazy, I mean, at that moment, I didn't hear that sound so I couldn't anticipate where the ball will go. That was the first moment when I realize, Okay, if they're going to be this loud, whole match is going to be tough.

But also in some moments during the match, I couldn't hear my shots and also hers. Sometimes it's very tough to see when she hit the ball if it's going deep or short. That was one thing definitely on the outside courts, we don't have this experience.

Yeah, it was so loud (laughter). Everyone was telling me that this is maybe the loudest court in tennis. It was really loud in some moments, yes.

Q. Was it mentally challenging going into a match knowing you could potentially send someone into retirement?

DANKA KOVINIC: Well, I was aware that there was many headlines, even international or back in my country.

But, no, I experienced loss to Ashleigh Barty in Melbourne 6-Love, 6-Love. I was like, It cannot be worse than that, even against Serena (smiling).

I was trying to calm myself down. But, no, I was trying to think as any other match. I know it is against Serena and it is a special moment, but still if I let myself think about that, then it could be only worst.

Q. How would you describe what it was like to play Serena? Was there anything about it that surprised you? Was it what you expected? Did she play better than what you thought she would?

DANKA KOVINIC: I expected stronger balls in the rallies. Sometimes I found myself standing far way behind baseline. I mean, definitely she hits strong. You can see from her returns or some backhand down the lines where I didn't expect she's going to make that shot, but it was really clear shot and very strong.

But then in the rallies, as I said, I expected for her to be more aggressive. Maybe also again it's night session, maybe this court is a little bit slower than the outer ones. I cannot, you know, compare these two.

But what I had feeling tonight is that you can have good rallies with Serena. It's not that crazy as sometimes it seems on TV, yeah.

Q. Can you talk about your reaction when the draw came out. You made some double-faults in crucial point in second set. Is that because you got nervous or more like taking risk?

DANKA KOVINIC: Well, about the draw, my coach told me that I play against her because I was warming up for my practice. I was happy. I wasn't surprised. Even he told me that he had some thoughts that maybe I could be the one who's going to play her in first round. He wasn't surprised, as well, yeah.

About the double-faults, right?

Q. Yes.

DANKA KOVINIC: I don't feel that in second set I made those because I got like more nervous in the match 'cause I also made some in the first set.

It's more, like, just different feeling. I toss the ball and, I don't know, it's this roof up there. I think that was the main thing. I heard my coach saying me, Just hit the ball, don't push.

I think that was the thing. Many of them, they went out. I just didn't, like, kick them enough. That's how I felt on court.

Q. High-profile match. So many people attended. Bill Clinton, actors. How aware were you of all that? Did you ever imagine you would be involved in such a big occasion?

DANKA KOVINIC: No, I could never imagine all of these important people were watching me. I mean, that's thanks to Serena. But, no, I mean, I saw some of them obviously when I was on changeover. But once the changeover is done, you don't think about that, you just focused for the next point.

It was nice feeling knowing that all of them are there on stands and watching the match.