GUADALAJARA OPEN

October 21, 2022

Marie Bouzkova

Press Conference

M. BOUZKOVA/A. Kalinskaya

5-2 (ret.)

THE MODERATOR: Probably not the way you wanted to win the match, but you're still in a semifinal. How are you feeling?

MARIE BOUZKOVA: Super happy. My second 1000 semifinal, so I'm just really happy, and even more that it's here. Obviously not the way I wanted to win, but I'm really excited for tomorrow.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Do you feel you have some sort of advantage upon Maria because she had a two-and-a-half-hour match tonight?

MARIE BOUZKOVA: I mean, I also had, like, a long match yesterday. I think she's super fit. I know Maria. I don't think it's going to bother her at all. She's such a great athlete.

Yeah, I don't think it's going to be a factor. Yeah, just going to expect a very tough match.

Q. The match maybe didn't go the way you wanted, but do you prefer to have less time playing or would you rather the full match?

MARIE BOUZKOVA: Obviously, not the way I would like to win. Yeah, yesterday had a long, tough match. Maybe was a little bit good for me today to have a shorter one.

But, yeah, obviously not the way I would like to finish a match.

Q. Now that you are free, what's the plan? Rest, do a little practice?

MARIE BOUZKOVA: No, no practice. Definitely no practice. Get even more rest. Yeah, just have a good dinner and start saving energy for the tough match that awaits tomorrow.

Q. You are practically a local here. The crowd loves you. They love Sakkari as well. How is it going to feel to have a shared crowd?

MARIE BOUZKOVA: I think it's going to be amazing, that she's going to have the support, amazing crowd behind her as well. It just adds even more to the nice atmosphere. That's why we love it here so much, playing in the night sessions.

Yeah, just hope I'm going to get that support as well. I think it's just going to have so much energy, that match tomorrow. Super excited about it.

Q. What does this result mean to you - not tonight, but making your second semifinal at a WTA 1000 thousand?

MARIE BOUZKOVA: It means so much. I've come from US Open, not playing like for six weeks. Just to come here and after all these six weeks, like, just preparing and training a lot, getting ready, it just means a lot. That I was able to jump right on it, just have a good run here, already means that work that I've put in is showing off already here. I'm just really happy about it.

Obviously it just feels a little more special because it's here.

Q. It's the last tournament of the year, but in terms of what you've been able to do this week, the level that you've been able to play, how much positivity? Does it help you end the season and take that energy into next season?

MARIE BOUZKOVA: I'm actually going to play next week as well in Tampico. Yeah, it's very important I think to have a good end to the season, get some matches again on the court, competitive. I haven't had that for quite some time now.

I'm just happy to get right back on it. These kind of matches, I'll definitely be thinking about them next year when we start in Australia.

Q. What do you think has been the key this week?

MARIE BOUZKOVA: I think just staying composed honestly because here with the high altitude things can change very quickly. I'm just happy with my composure. Yesterday, as well, coming back after losing the first set, playing against super tough opponents.

I think that was, like, the key this year, not just here but for the whole year, that I've been able to be consistent. That was kind of my goal before this season started, just to be consistent, just have as best a result as I can every week.

I think I've done that. I'm just, like, proud about it as well.